Real Madrid Transfer News: Raphael Varane Nearly Joined Manchester United

It's been revealed that a small twist in fate could have sent Raphael Varane to Manchester United instead of Real Madrid, following comments from the centre-back's former manager Jose Mourinho.

Since moving to the Bernabeu in 2011, Varane has grown to become one of the world's most revered defenders, but Mourinho is quoted by the Daily Star's Rhys Turrell as saying:

"

Varane had one foot at Manchester United but Real Madrid are very strong and Rapha came to us. I was on holiday and in Madrid. Zinedine Zidane arrived with a DVD and I thought 'that player, with two years' work with us, would be fantastic.

"

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Three years after his move from Lens and Mourinho's assumption appears to have been on the money. Varane most recently shut out Real team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo during France's 2-1 win over Portugal in a friendly played as part of Euro 2016 qualifying, per Jonathan Johnson of ESPN FC:

How desperate United are for a player of Varane's quality, too, after seeing their defence become far and away the most evident weak point in their squad of late.

The departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand over the summer have left a gaping hole in experience at the back, with Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling now considered senior members of Louis van Gaal's squad.

Darko Vojinovic/Associated Press

Marcos Rojo was brought in from Sporting Lisbon over the summer to add some fresh blood, but maintaining fitness has also proven problematic for United's defenders.

This has led to the likes of Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair gaining first-team seniority this season, while Varane rubs shoulders with the likes of Sergio Ramos and Pepe in the Spanish capital.

Season	Appearances	Clean Sheets	Avg. Goals Conceded Per Game
2013-14	14	5	1.29
2012-13	15	5	1
2011-12	9	3	0.77

It's a stark contrast to how things might have panned out, and so talented is the French youngster that one might argue his influence alone may have helped prevent the Red Devils' decline in recent years.

In 2014, the 21-year-old has won the Champions League and made it to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, where his side were ousted at the hands of eventual champions Germany.

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United, meanwhile, finished seventh in the 2013-14 Premier League campaign and have conceded 10 goals so far this league season, as many as 19th-placed Burnley.

Mourinho's recent comments will only help in pouring salt on the wounds of Manchester United's fans, who are still seeking that next defensive totem capable of lifting them back into the glory of years gone by.

Varane may well have been that totem in another lifetime, but Real acted fastest in clinching his signature, showing just what a difference a transfer can make in the long run.