Manchester United Transfer News: Raphael Varane Comments on Future Amid Rumours

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has questioned whether or not he is a significant member of the squad at the Santiago Bernabeu amid rumours of interest from Manchester United.

While rated as one of the brightest defensive prospects in the game, for vital matches recently, manager Zinedine Zidane has opted to pair Pepe and Sergio Ramos at the base of Los Blancos’ selection.

Varane hinted he is feeling a little unloved in the Spanish capital when speaking with Agence France-Presse (h/t Marca, via Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News),:

"

Until November I played in almost every game.

I'm at a crucial stage in the season. I know my qualities and I know what I'm capable of doing. But it's true there have been a few unusual mistakes.

I think a footballer needs to play to thrive and to feel important. This is true for all players. I try to keep working every day to improve.

"

GERARD JULIEN/Getty Images

As noted by Luckhurst, United sought to sign the Frenchman in 2011 before he opted to move to Real, and the club are said to “retain an interest” in the player at this point. 

According to Sport, a dispute between Varane’s agent Jorge Mendes and Real Madrid could push the player, as well as midfielder James Rodriguez, closer to the exit door at the Bernabeu. 

“Mendes is looking for other teams where they would play more regularly, but Los Blancos are not on the same page as they consider them two important squad players for next season,” it’s stated in the report. Varane is also said to have “asked for a bigger role in recent times.”

Here is a look at what Varane would potentially add at Old Trafford should a deal get done:

Reports linking the Red Devils to the centre-back have had a fanciful feel to them in the past, with Varane seemingly destined to take place at the heart of Real’s back four and inevitably blossom into one of the best defenders in the world. But it’s a process that seems to have stalled, with a lot of trust retained in 33-year-old Pepe.

Here is a look at how Varane compares statistically in league outings to the two men he’s battling with for a spot in the XI, as well as the Red Devils’ best centre-back Chris Smalling:

	Varane	Pepe	Ramos	Smalling
Apps (Sub)	23 (3)	21	23	35
Goals	0	1	2	0
Tackles per game	1.5	1.6	1.5	1.5
Interceptions per game	1.7	2.5	3.3	2.8
Clearances per game	4.7	3.4	3.4	5.1
Blocks per game	0.8	1	0.9	0.5
Passing accuracy	88.2 %	87.6 %	90.3 %	82.4 %

Varane is a very graceful defender, often swooping across with a swagger to cut out danger. He can tackle, challenge in the air and distribute with class as well, giving him all the attributes to thrive at the back in the modern game.

FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/Getty Images

He’s athletic, too, meaning that while Real can often leave their defence exposed due to their willingness to bomb forward, Varane has the pace to launch recovery tackles and prevent counter-attacking chances. His presence at United would potentially allow them to showcase an increase in ambition so many of the Old Trafford crowd crave.

As noted by journalist Jacqui Oatley, United didn’t get the balance right between defence and attack last season, eventually scoring just 49 Premier League goals during the 2015-16 term:

Varane would be a huge coup for the Red Devils. He has made mistakes this season, and there are still refinements to be made, but all the attributes are there for an elite defender to emerge. The centre-back is no longer a teenage prospect either. He’s 23, and as is evident by the previous quotes, he wants to test himself on the biggest stages possible.

United cannot offer that in 2016-17, as they failed to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League. A player like Varane would go a long way to solving some of the team's issues, although you suspect that a lot of clubs on the continent would be keen to strike a deal should they get whiff of the fact he’s available.