Raphael Varane has been speaking to French newspaper L’Equipe about his time at Real Madrid and his career to date. The Frenchman turns 24 years of age next month and has seen his progress at Real Madrid been slower than he would have liked, which has been down to manager preference and injury.
Jose Mourinho was a big fan of the player but a series of injuries left others unsure how much they could count on Varane. Zinedine Zidane has so far started the defender in 18 La Liga matches so far this season, but there have once again been injury issues.
L’Equipe put it to Varane that Ancelotti wasn’t a big fan of his at Real Madrid, whereas Manchester United’s current manager was: “I had a special relationship with Mourinho. With Ancelotti, I played less, but he did extraordinary things at Real and this is what counts.”
Asked about interest from Manchester United, the Madrid defender seemed to turn the question to one of staying at Real Madrid: “In fact, I mostly wondered if the club was in line with my project, namely to play. The president and the coach told me they were going in my direction. I put my head down and I worked before and during the pre-season training.”
There have been times when it has been suggested in the Madrid press Real Madrid wouldn’t be as against a Varane sale as many would expect, largely due to his recurrent injury issues.
Currently out with a hamstring injury, if there are more issues before the end of the season, and if Mourinho is unconcerned by Varane’s fitness record, then it could be worth a try from Manchester United should the interest remain.
