Shaun Wright-Phillips: Ben White is a better signing than Manchester United new boy Raphael Varane
According to TalkSport via Metro (h/t The Daily Mail), former Manchester City star Shaun Wright-Phillips believes Ben White is a better centre-back signing in comparison to Manchester United new boy Raphael Varane.
United have been after the French World Cup winner for over a decade, making their first overture during the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson. However, the Red Devils have now got their man.
But not everyone seems to be impressed with United’s business, and one of them is Wright-Phillips. He believes Arsenal who signed Ben White earlier this summer, got the better deal. A rather curious statement given that Varane is one of the most decorated centre-backs in the modern game.
The 23-year-old moved to Arsenal after impressing at Brighton and spending the summer with England at the Euros. Arsenal however had to fork out £50million for White’s services. It appears extravagant given that United have agreed on a deal for Varane for just £42m.
Rather than praise United for their acumen, Wright Phillips believes White’s old school mentality to defending makes him a better option. He remains confident that White will outdo Varane in the coming years.
“Yes I personally do. I know it’s a big statement, but he is used to the Premier League and he is used to defending a lot for Brighton, week in, week out.”
Wright-Phillips believes White’s familiarity with the English game makes him a better fit for the league than Varane. While the Frenchman could eventually settle and continue his dominance of the game, for now, he remains a newcomer who has to earn his stripes.
“Varane has come into a whole new league and he is going to put under immense pressure.”
Wright-Phillips has no reason to like United and to be fair to him, he does make sense. While it is balderdash to suggest White is a better defender, he is certainly well acquainted with the English game.
Varane on the other hand is a four-time Champions League winner who has also won the FIFA World Cup. One cannot put a price on such experience and that should hold him in good stead at Old Trafford. Regardless of how White turns out, there will be no United fan today who will wish they missed out on Varane.
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Varane is one of the sport’s most celebrated defenders and enjoyed an era of success at the Santiago Bernabeu. He is now ready for a new challenge and could write his name into United folklore. Exciting times lie ahead.
