“I have played with TWO greatest defenders RAMOS and PEPE but there’s ONE particular Man United’s new signing who’s better than both combined…I left Man United because of only him, he’s too good and looking at how he play I know I don’t have future there anymore”: Raphael Varane reveals why he left Man United, names ONE new signing as the reason

Former Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has opened up on his summer exit from Old Trafford.
Varane brought his three-year stay at United to an end when his contract expired in June as he walked away from the club for nothing.

The Frenchman, who joined the Red Devils from Real Madrid for £42m in 2021, has admitted he had wanted to stay for a longer period but realised in the final months of last term that it was time to move on.

‘At the start of my last season at Manchester United, I was already telling myself that I would have liked to finish there, to extend the adventure [there] a little further,’ Varane told L’Equipe. ‘It didn’t happen and the summer was very eventful.

‘With United, I finished with a victory in the FA Cup, but I already knew that the club’s project didn’t suit me.’

Varane delivered a standout performance in United’s shock FA Cup final win over bitter rivals Manchester City at Wembley, as he returned from injury to foil Pep Guardiola‘s men.

But after a number of fitness setbacks in recent years, and having previously hit out at the congested football calendar, Varane explained that he wanted to reduce his game time and that led him to leave United to join Serie A side Como.

However, his time at the Italian club was cut short as he suffered a knee injury on debut in the Coppa Italia in August.

With a lengthy spell on the sidelines awaiting, Varane opted to retire and revealed he knew straight away that it was time to hang up his boots.

‘I was looking for something special, and that’s how I found Como,’ he added.

‘Como was a project that stood out, it wasn’t exotic nor financially [rewarding] but humanly it made sense, and it still does, since I’m going to stay by their side.

‘I also wanted to play only once a week. After the preseason, the family was supposed to follow me to Italy, but when I got injured on the 11th of August, I knew right away that it was over. I was sure of myself, because I had anticipated it.’

Varane will not be seen on the pitch again at Como, but announced last month that he is staying with the club.

A statement read: ‘And so, a new life begins off the pitch. I will remain with Como.

‘Just without using my boots and shin pads. Something I am looking forward to sharing more about soon.’

Varane did not specify exactly what his new role is, but it could see him work alongside former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who manages the club.

Como were promoted to Serie A last season and sit 14th in the table after taking 8 points from their opening seven matches.

(4-2-3-1) Evans to start”, Predicted Man United line up vs Brentford as Erik Ten Hag faces selection headache ahead of premier League clash

Erik ten Hag is facing a major selection dilemma when Manchester United return to Premier League action against Brentford this weekend.

Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo all withdrew from international duty last week, returning to Manchester ahead of schedule for assessment.

While the severity of those knocks has not been disclosed, United fans will hope they were merely precautionary measures ahead of a frantic run of fixtures domestically and in Europe.

It is in defence where Ten Hag will have the biggest concerns. Harry Maguire has joined the injury list with a knee problem while Noussair Mazraoui is not expected to be back until next month after undergoing a minor heart procedure.

Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are still not available for selection and with Diogo Dalot set to shift back to his regular right-back role in the absence of Mazraoui, it leaves a slot to be filled at left-back.

36-year-old Jonny Evans could be shifted into that role where Lisandro Martinez can also feature.

17-year-old Harry Amass featured at left-back during pre-season and while his manager has tipped him to break into the first-team, the suggestions are Ten Hag and his staff have concerns over whether he his physically ready to make the step up to senior football at this stage.

Including summer signing Leny Yoro, United are without five senior defensive options.

There are also concerns further up the pitch with Manuel Ugarte who was forced off playing for Uruguay in their World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.

The midfielder reportedly asked to be substituted after complaining of pain in his right thigh. Ugarte has been used sparingly by Ten Hag since his summer move from Paris Saint-Germain, left among the subs in their last two games against Porto and Aston Villa

Predicted Man XI to face Brentford
Onana, Dalot, De Ligt, Evans, Martinez, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund

“Congratulations to Erik ten Hag because with such player returning, his job is now saved… They suffered because he was absent”: Mikel Arteta names ONE particular player who’s absent really affected Man United as he congratulates Ten Hag for having the star back to the team

Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has insisted that the club’s season could have been different had one player been available for Erik ten Hag.

Erik ten Hag’s men have endured a lacklustre start to their 2024-25 Premier League season, with the Red Devils languishing in 14th place in the league table.

Manchester United have won only twice in their opening seven league matches, with the pressure mounting on Ten Hag to turn the tide back in his favour.

The Red Devils dropped points in their last Europa League match against Porto ahead of the October break, with United coming from behind to seal a 3-3 draw.

United also played out a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa at Villa Park in the Premier League ahead of the October international break.

Silvestre on Man Utd star
Speaking to TribalFootball, Mikael Silvestre shared his two cents on the injury that Luke Shaw suffered ahead of the 2024-25 Premier League season.

Luke Shaw missed the second half of the 2024-25 campaign and was called up to the England squad in the summer for Euro 2024, despite being injured.

The 29-year-old Manchester United left-back featured in the later stages of the tournament in Germany, with England falling short in the Euro 2024 final to Spain.

Shaw suffered a calf injury in pre-season training and has currently been sidelined for the 2024-25 campaign, with the United star yet to make an appearance.

“I believe United had enough options at left-back this summer,” Silvestre said.

“Luke Shaw spent the summer involved with the national team, so you think that he’s not far off being fully fit when he comes back after the summer.

“Managers and backroom staff can’t anticipate that he’s going to be out for a significant period of time as soon as he comes back to the club.

“That’s the unpredictability of football.

Silvestre backing Shaw on return
Erik ten Hag has been forced to predominately deploy right-back Dingo Dalot as a makeshift left-back in the absence of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

Tyrell Malacia is making progress for his long-awaited return after missing the entirety of last season, while Shaw is tipped to return after the October break.

Silvestre admitted that United’s season could have been different if Shaw had not been injured, but he is backing the Red Devils left-back to be fully fit “soon.”

“It made sense at the time to stick with Shaw and Tyrell Malacia and you must cope with what is now a tricky period with Diogo Dalot playing slightly out of position,” he continued.

“It would have been nice to have Luke playing in defence, and maybe it would have changed the start of the season, but they have to be patient with him and hopefully, he’ll be back to full fitness soon.”