Man United linked with Varane
It has of course been clear for some time that the Red Devils are in need of fresh legs at the back.
Harry Maguire is a decent player, but his lack of pace can be a real issue when not paired with a quick centre-back partner.
Outside of Maguire, though, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has very little top quality to choose from. Victor Lindelof is inconsistent and more than capable of the occasional nightmare display, whilst Eric Bailly is too often sidelined with injuries.
So when it was claimed earlier this week that Man United are reportedly well placed to sign Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane in 2021, United fans will no doubt have been pleased.
Varane is close to entering the final 18 months of his current Real Madrid deal, and, according to the Manchester Evening News, the stopper recently joined the Base Soccer agency, with whom United have a productive relationship.
MADRID, SPAIN – AUGUST 11: Raphael Varane of Real Madrid CF in action during the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy between Real Madrid CF and AC Milan at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 11, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
Villareal vs Real Madrid
However, Zinedine Zidane has since putting something of a damper on those rumours.
Real Madrid are set to face off with Villareal on Saturday afternoon.
Villarreal vs Real Madrid live streaming: Watch La Liga online
Madrid head into the tie on the back of a pretty poor start to the campaign which has seen them lose two league ties already, as well as putting on some questionable displays in Europe.
And with Atletico Madrid currently above Los Blancos with a game in hand, a win on Sunday is imperative for Real.
Zidane on Varane speculation
Speaking ahead of the trip to the Estadio de la Ceramica, Zidane was inevitably drawn on Man United’s reported interest in one of his star stoppers.
The news from a United standpoint, though, was not at all positive.
The Frenchman stated that Varane is ‘untransferable’, with he and the club sharing the same position when it comes to the stopper:
“It’s not just me [who wants to keep him.
“He is part of this club, we were very lucky to be able to bring him to Madrid.
“He has a great career, he’s achieved a lot since he’s been here. Of course, he is untransferable for the club, for the coach that I am, for people in general.
“That’s clear and unambiguous. Now we can’t stop people from talking. They’re not just talking about Varane, but about all the players, Real Madrid ones and others.
“But for Varane, my position is clear, and it’s the same as the club’s position.”
Quotes via Goal.
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