Raphael Varane made his debut for Manchester United against Wolves.
Varane could not have asked for a more testing game, with Wolves’ attackers given acres of freedom by United’s disjointed midfield.
The centre-back stood up to the challenge well, facing down Adama Traore one on one early on, before the winger thought better of taking him on, and passed the ball.
Varane was a class act throughout, with the only moment he was beaten coming when Romain Saiss beat him for a header, only to be denied by a double save from David de Gea.
And yet right after the double save, Varane was quickest to react, to clear the ball away from Saiss to stop him attempting to score for a third time.
Varane had a role in Manchester United’s winner, passing the ball to Mason Greenwood, who did the rest. His debut ended with an assist.
Varane’s debut by numbers
Varane touched the ball 74 times, and won two aerial duels. He was calm in possession, completing 88 per cent of his total passes.
The Frenchman made three clearances, and won one tackle.
It was a composed debut, and the most telling aspect of his showing was a clean sheet.
This was Manchester United’s first competitive clean sheet since away at Leeds in April.
While there was certainly a stroke of luck in that, with De Gea and Aaron Wan-Bissaka making last-ditch stops, Varane deserves his share of credit on his first ever Premier League game too.
Reaction
Here is a look at how Manchester United fans reacted to Varane’s performance…
- Youri Tielemans’ past injuries and age cannot overshadow immediate solution solved in Man Utd’s post-Casemiro era
- I was desperate for Man United to sign Eduardo Camavinga, but his latest Real Madrid decision is a worry
- Joshua Zirkzee’s stance on Juventus move could fast-track Man Utd exit
- Danilo has already learned two important skills from Casemiro amid rumblings he could move to Man Utd
- Man Utd may immediately repeat their successful Youri Tielemans ‘trick’ with their next midfield signing
- Why Man Utd’s brand-new Adidas away shirt for 2026/27 Premier League season is in blue design
- Alejandro Garnacho’s Aston Villa spell could determine which of his two ex-Man Utd teammates’ footsteps he follows
- There’s one major difference with how Benjamin Sesko looks in training
- What Manchester United’s XI vs Rosenborg looked like in 2024 pre-season clash
- Unprecedented transfer move: Man Utd swoop for third midfielder would rip up the club’s transfer history
- Michael Carrick’s Chido Obi decision vs Wrexham is puzzling after JJ Gabriel’s inclusion for Rosenborg
- There is one thing missing from the Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo combination
- Wayne Rooney thinks one World Cup moment proves why Sir Alex Ferguson was ‘best’ in crucial tactical area
- How to watch Man Utd vs Rosenborg: TV channel, live stream and kick-off time today
- Sander Berge would add one quality Carrick sorely lacks at Man Utd after Tielemans and Santos transfer
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
