Manchester United appear to have made a shrewd decision not to sign Raphael Varane to a new deal.
As one of Manchester United’s highest earners, there was a pragmatic decision made by the club when they chose to release Raphael Varane at the end of last season.
The decision was tinged with some sadness when the centre-back produced a masterful performance in the FA Cup Final against Manchester City.
Yet this simply looks like a case of a perfect goodbye for a defender who is entering the latter stages of his career.

Raphael Varane injury at Como
Raphael Varane signed with newly promoted Italian side Como, showing a sign of their ambition to compete in Serie A.
The move represented a bit of a step down for the defender after more than a decade playing for elite clubs.
The Frenchman made his debut in the Coppa Italia in early August, and it ended early.
Varane was substituted after just 20 minutes with an injury and he has not played for the club since.
Varane contract in doubt
Raphael Varane has now been omitted from Como’s list of 25 players for Serie A for the upcoming campaign, Goal report.
And according to Italian outlet TMW, Varane’s knee injury is more serious than initially expected.
Como are now even considering cancelling Varane’s contract, given the uncertainty over his recovery time.
Manager Cesc Fabregas was asked about Varane over the weekend, he told Il Giorno: “We’re waiting for him – he concludes – also to understand the extent of the injury and when he’ll be available, but for the moment he’ll stay in Madrid to get treatment.”
Manchester United fans will wish Varane well, yet there is an element where you nod and say ‘this was the right decision’, to let him leave.
Injury problems plagued the defender’s spell at Old Trafford, he started only 16 of 38 Premier League matches in 2023/24.
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