Manchester United’s move to sign Rio Ferdinand in 2002 was one of the cornerstones in Sir Alex Ferguson’s next evolution of the Red Devils. The £30 million move was a British record at the time and over the next decade, Ferdinand went on to win the Champions League, and six Premier League titles.
Ferdinand left in 2014, and while his high profile roles in football media has meant United fans have not forgotten him, on the pitch he has been a huge miss.
Ferguson hoped he had left United well placed when he retired, with Chris Smalling and Phil Jones signed as future stars who may be able to replace Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
Neither player proved capable, and central defence has been a tricky position for United through the post-Fergie era.
Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo both had fleeting moments, while the signing of Eric Bailly looked Vidic-like in his first season before injuries took their toll. Jonny Evans was another player sold, along with academy product Michael Keane, while Axel Tuanzebe does not look capable of making the step up.
Victor Lindelof had a poor start at United and rarely looks anything above a 7/10. United fans still harbour hopes for better. A whopping £80 million was spent on Harry Maguire, and this looks like a colossal waste of funds.
Not only are Ferdinand and Maguire totally different stylistically, there is also a wide berth in terms of quality between the two.
But finally, amid a wretched 2021/22 season which Manchester United fans cannot wait for to be over, Manchester United have finally got their man.
Varane is United’s Ferdinand replacement, better late than never
Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign Raphael Varane in 2011, only to miss out to Real Madrid, and bought Phil Jones instead.
In 2021, United finally got him. For a bargain £34 million in a deal from Real Madrid, Varane arrives as a World Cup winner and four-times Champions League winner.
The fee may be more than United paid for Ferdinand, but by 2021 standards it was a snip. You need only look at Maguire’s fee and performances to see that.
Varane has been a class act since joining, overcoming early injury problems, and not having settled partner, he is performing at a consistent high level.
The Frenchman is an automatic name on the teamsheet and his combination of pace, physicality, and calmness is reminiscent of Ferdinand in his pomp.
It took a while, and better late than never, but United have finally landed the perfect centre-back. Now we just need to find him a partner.
The search for the next Nemanja Vidic goes on. Perhaps they just don’t make them like the big Serbian any more.
United’s flawed squad means that Varane has not joined a team close to winning silverware, instead one facing yet another rebuild.
At least his role is one less to worry about. The 28-year-old still has several years left at the top which United must make the most of, before the search for his replacement eventually begins.
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