December 20, 2020, Eibar, VIZCAYA, SPAIN: Raphael Varane of Real Madrid CF during the Spanish league, La Liga Santander, football match played between SD Eibar SAD and Real Madrid CF at Ipurua stadium on December 20, 2020 in Eibar, Spain. Eibar SPAIN - ZUMAa181 20201220_zaa_a181_261 Copyright: xInigoxLarreinax
According to SPORT (h/t The Sun), Manchester United have been put on alert as long-term target Raphael Varane wants to quit Real Madrid. Varane believes his time at the club is nearing an end and wants a new challenge. With his contract set to expire in less than 28 months, no headway has been made in terms of an extension as the player does not want the same.
Even a few months ago, the thought of Manchester United being Premier League contenders sounded delusional. However, that is exactly what has transpired. Coupled with some patchy form shown by other sides and some fantastic displays from the Red Devils sees them sit 2nd in the table.
It is surely through a lot of work that Manchester United find themselves in such a position. Nonetheless, there are still areas of the squad that need some revamping. One of them is central defence. Harry Maguire has been the go-to central defender for Solskjaer alongside Victor Lindelof. In recent games, it is Eric Bailly who has taken the Swede’s place.
It may look that the side are well settled in terms of their defence but they are still susceptible to conceding goals. Maguire isn’t the most mobile of defenders and Lindelof leaves a lot to be desired in terms of his ability.
Eric Bailly may just be United’s best defender when fit but he is a huge injury risk. Adding a world-class defender to this side could do wonders in the long-term.
When a defender is so experienced and has been at a club for close to a decade, it’s likely that the club wouldn’t sell the player. But Varane is slowly becoming more error-prone than Real Madrid would like.
The 27-year-old’s showing in the Champions League round of 16 last season gifted Manchester City an easy pass into the quarterfinals. His last few month’s stats would tell you he has two own goals to his name.
But does that mean Manchester United will be getting a bad player? Absolutely not. Every player at the highest level faces these rough patches and maybe for Varane, it is lasting longer than it should. He is just a little low on confidence and it is not being helped by the team’s performances either.
Varane is still one of the top centre-backs in the world and there are no questions about it. Manchester United need him as he can be the perfect foil to Harry Maguire. He is mobile enough to cover for the Englishman’s deficiencies and can form a good partnership with him.
It will still be difficult to snatch him from Madrid but if any club can, it is Manchester United. They have the financial muscle (as history has shown) and the commercial appeal to do so.