Aniket Rai
Raphael Varane revisits Sir Alex Ferguson’s attempt to sign him from Lens a decade ago
Speaking to the official MUFC club media (h/t Manchester Evening News), Raphael Varane recalled the time Sir Alex Ferguson visited his mother’s house a decade ago in an attempt to bring the Frenchman to Old Trafford.
Varane, who was 18 at that time, was a hot prospect at RC Lens in France. An 11th-hour phone call from Real Madrid’s then sporting director Zinedine Zidane convinced the defender to join Los Blancos.
Sir Alex, on the other hand, had to make do with the £16million signing of a certain Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers that year. It’s safe to say Varane went on to have a more glittering career as compared to the Englishman.
But 10 years on, United have their man in a transfer worth £41million. The 28-year-old has won the biggest trophies in the game and reveals how he spoke with Madrid when he had the opportunity to finally play in the Premier League with United.
United have their man
“There had been a lot of rumours and a lot of people speaking about me and Manchester United since 2011, when Sir Alex Ferguson came to my mother’s house. When it was real (this year), that was when I spoke with my club, and I felt it was a real opportunity to play in the Premier League for Manchester United.”
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner with France was unveiled in front of a full capacity Old Trafford this weekend before the kickoff against Leeds. Now officially a Red Devil, Varane explains why he chose United at this stage of his career.
“I think the most important one is it’s a new challenge and it’s a big motivation to start in a new league in a big club like Manchester United. This opportunity was amazing for me, so I chose this change for me and my family. They have come with me. You feel when things are a good moment and this was the right moment.”
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Victor Lindelof was pretty impressive against Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men dismantled their rivals 5-1. But the Swede, along with Jones and Eric Bailly, would perhaps go one step down in the pecking order after Varane settles in the squad.
