Raphael Varane compares former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to Zinedine Zidane
According to The Times (Subscription Required), Manchester United star Raphael Varane has compared former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to Zinedine Zidane.
The French international swapped Real Madrid for life at Old Trafford earlier this summer. He arrived at the club, having won numerous trophies under Zidane. While he got the opportunity to work with another club legend in Solskjaer at Man United, it did not last very long.
The Norwegian was sacked last month following a series of poor results. Varane did not spend much time under Solskjaer but the Red Devils legend appears to have left his mark on the Frenchman.
Signing Varane in the summer was a coup for Man United. The player has now revealed that he spoke with Solskjaer before making the decision. Whatever they talked about worked as the 28-year-old chose to swap the Bernabeu for Old Trafford.
“It was a short time working with him but I learn a lot.”
Varane goes on to praise Solskjaer’s humility. He further added that the Norwegian instilled in him the right values and the mentality that governs Man United. Varane is still a newbie at the club to have soaked it all in. However, given his quality one would not put it past him.
“He taught me a lot of things, values and a lot of things about the club, the mentality of the club.”
Perhaps the most eye-catching of all of Varane’s admissions was his comparison of Solskjaer to Zidane. Both players are legends at their respective clubs and have scored UEFA Champions League winners to break German hearts.
That does not appear to be the only thing in common between them; at least as far as Varane is concerned. The Frenchman believes Solskjaer was honest to his players, a trait he shares with Zidane. While it or may not have worked for everyone, Varane surely appears taken in by the idea.
“It’s important to manage and for leadership to be honest with his players and specially this point it’s similar with Zizou.”
More Manchester United News
- Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Manchester United to join long time rival Lionel Messi at PSG
- Ralf Rangnick lashes at media for suggesting signing bonus for Erling Haaland
- Ralf Rangnick does not rule out a permanent role at Manchester United
A very likeable person, Solskjaer’s charm and approach appear to have rubbed off well against his players, even those who have only worked with him briefly.
While his love for honestly mirrors Zidane, the managerial acumen shown by both men are miles apart. Zidane has won numerous titles at Real while Solskjaer failed to go the distance at Old Trafford. Hopefully, Ralf Rangnick will fare better.
