Legendary French defender Raphael Varane will leave Manchester United at the end of the season
Manchester United have today confirmed that Raphael Varane will depart the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old defender has cultivated a career that has seen him regarded as one of the finest in the game.
But, following a frustrating campaign, the decision has been made to part company after three seasons at the Theatre of Dreams.
A memorable introduction
The Lille native’s transfer from Real Madrid was announced on 27 July 2021, subject to a successful medical and finalising of player terms.
In a move that captivated the entire fanbase, Varane famously walked out to a packed Old Trafford crowd ahead of United’s Premier League opener against Leeds United on 14 August 2021 – sealing an iconic moment in Manchester history.
At this time, the feeling was that of a significant acquisition for the club – in luring a 28-year-old defender – seemingly in his prime – from the European giants in Madrid.
United had a four-time Champions League winner to marshal their defence alongside the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho, who had both opted to move to Old Trafford.
From debut to physio table
The Frenchman debuted 15 days later, contributing an assist towards the game’s only goal in a one-nil away win against Wolves.
He would make four further league appearances before injuring his groin in October. After a short absence, he returned against Spurs on October 30 – before suffering a hamstring injury that saw him ruled out until the end of December.
Injuries represented a significant portion of his United career, missing 202 days and unavailability for 47 fixtures.
Ironically, the likeable defender is presently suffering from a muscle injury that has seen him miss eight games – with uncertainty over his availability for the remainder of the season.
If only things had worked out differently
Varane’s arrival at Old Trafford offered supporters the possibility to dream. While his time at the club has not gone as he imagined, his presence aided Erik ten Hag’s side in lifting the EFL Cup in February 2023.
At 31, we should be celebrating his performances from the stands and watching a crafty veteran school a collection of impressionable forwards.
His time at the club will forever remain a ‘what if’, but we wish him the best for his future.
Merci, Monsieur!
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