Raphael Varane had become ready for the duties of a Manchester United defender before he went onto the Old Trafford field in his navy two-piece on the first day of the season.
While Varane was at the France camp for the European Championship, he asked for videos of United's famed set-piece defense from the previous season. Varane has helped United post the most clean sheets in the Premier League after a discouraging first season.
The signing of Varane by United came ten years after Sir Alex Ferguson's fruitless visit to the teen's Lens house. Quarantining caused a delay in the August 2021 transfer, and a medical problem that was detected was serious enough that a deal breakdown wasn't completely out of the question.
Varane, who had already said goodbye to the Real Madrid players and staff, was paraded by United prior to their thumping of Leeds, scenes evoking Bryan Robson's on-field introduction in 1981. The documentation was revised.
Like Robson, Varane is a key member of United. At the end of the Old Trafford derby in January, the reticent Frenchman unexpectedly transformed into a cheerleader, evoking roars from the Sir Alex Ferguson stand with choreography befitting the Royal Salute at Buckingham Palace.
A month later, Varane repeated it against Barcelona at the end of the game. This Madridista of ten years enjoyed victories over Pep Guardiola and Barcelona, which cannot be a coincidence.
"I really enjoy playing here for Man United, playing in England and feeling good with my teammates, having a good connection with the fans," Varane says in the academy building at United's Carrington training complex.
"I think the similarities [with Barcelona in 2011] are Pep and the style of play from City, but it’s different. I don’t think it’s the same thing but I learned a lot from that period in Madrid."
"It was first step at the top level. I learned how to fight, developed that winning mentality. We grew as a team and as a club during that period. I learned a lot and it was very helpful for me."
"We want to develop and be on the top at Manchester United as well. When you start winning you can change the mentality and be more prepared to win more and the biggest trophies."
"We have to be positive, we’re in a good way, but the most important thing is to believe. Even when it’s difficult, we know how important Manchester United are around the world. There’s a lot of pressure, so when the results are not good you have to stay calm and composed.
"When it’s good we have to be relaxed too and not think we are bigger than we are, than the reality. I learned a lot from a club like Madrid and I try to transmit that here."
Varane will put a lot of effort into getting ready for his third meeting with Erling Haaland in the FA Cup final on Saturday. When Kevin de Bruyne's boomerang-shaped cross escaped Varane for Haaland's second goal in the October derby, Haaland was scoring from a corner while Varane was receiving treatment off the field. With United behind 4-0 at the break, Varane was replaced. They suffered a 6-3 defeat.
Luke Shaw and Varane's partner helped United tame Haaland at Old Trafford. Varane was typically the center back to follow Haaland when he frequently dropped deep. In only his eighth appearance for City, Haaland failed to score as United prevailed 2-1.
United specifically analysed De Bruyne and Haaland's telepathy. "Yes, he’s a very good player, we all know that," Varane says of Haaland, "but the danger from City is everywhere. They are very complete. They can score from set-plays, from a possession game and from a transition game. We know we have to stop them as a team and collectively as a group."
"As a defender, the connection especially with De Bruyne [that Haaland has], that kind of pass is complicated to defend, so we try to cut that connection. We try to stop them earlier and not at the end because sometimes it’s too late. We know we have to be strong as a team."
"They have a lot of connections and can change systems and have a different approach to games. It’s one of the things we have to work on."
"We know we are able to beat any team. We showed that this season. We know we can beat them but we know they are a good team."
"The approach, we have to learn from the games we played against them and we need a great performance. We have to be consistent for 90 minutes because we know that everything can change in a few seconds."
Varane is so bemused at the mention of the possible 'fear' of facing City he repeats it. “No. Why?" he asks rhetorically.
"We have to accept the challenge and to assume the responsibility - the pressure is something we are used to playing with and we need the pressure in our top - it's not that kind of pressure that limits you."
"When the pressure is higher I’m talking more and shouting on the pitch - you are more connected. When you are free you run faster!" Varane laughs. "So [with] bigger pressure you can give more on the pitch."
"I like to face big challenges. Especially when something looks impossible, it's when I feel okay, that expectation to do something impossible, what looks impossible."
"When the challenge is big I feel more motivation and that came as a team, we defend very well. City is a team that creates the most chances in a game and that game (at Old Trafford), the first half was very good, so we have to do this performance to win the cup. And obviously, if we have one chance we have to score. So we have to be efficient."
The Premier League's demands became a toll. Although Erik ten Hag has more carefully regulated his playing time, Varane, who turned 30 in March, has only played four more times this season than last. Varane, who has started 14 games from the bench, has benefited the most from the rotation. Varane missed 16 games last season, including both derbies.
"I think it takes time to reach the rhythm, it’s a different game in England than Spain," Varane opines. "Last season was more a season to adapt and to better understand how to manage the intensity, the pace of the games."
"This season I’ve been much better, I’ve been very happy with how it’s gone, it’s been positive. It’s been a great experience and I try to enjoy it."
Ten Hag must have been pleased with Varane's decision to leave the French military. There was a moment when it appeared United would not have had both of its starting center backs versus City because Lisandro Martinez was still healing from a metatarsal fracture.
Varane recently missed seven games due to an ankle injury, and United only won two of those games. After his recuperation, they won all three of the games he started, only giving up one goal.
The World Cup winner feels he is a better defender now than at Madrid. "I think I can read the game better now and anticipate actions much more. I am sprinting less on the pitch. I read [the situation] before to be in a good position.
"A big part of my game, you can't see on TV, I think. It’s about two metres on the right and two metres on the left. I think I am much more in a good position now."
"The evolution of my game is interesting. I make less tackles and less sprints so that means I am using the positioning very well. That’s one of my strengths now."
Varane was only interested in joining United and was willing to leave Madrid. Varane has been one of the few exceptions in a time when United has frequently signed star players who aren't especially passionate about the team.
After Marcus Rashford's decisive derby-winning goal at Old Trafford, Varane, Casemiro, and Fred embraced the crowd. One underappreciated success of Ten Hag's rule was reconnecting the athletes with their fans.
"It’s a different feeling, a different challenge but I wanted to come to England to feel these type of emotions," Varane stresses. "The FA Cup is huge here in England, I have a big respect for the fans and we have a good connection so I know how important this competition - this game - is to them."
"The feeling… it’s the same expectations, it’s a final, you know? It’s the same feeling. When it’s a final, you want to win it. It’s a different competition but the same approach, the same feeling."
"I think we are more focused on the challenge we face and not to stop the challenge [of City winning the Treble]. We want to win and that’s the only objective we have. We don’t try to stop them, but we want to win for the club."
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