Raphael Varane admits complete ‘surprise’ at one decision Marcus Rashford made while leaving Man United

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Raphael Varane spent three years playing alongside Marcus Rashford as a Manchester United player.

The World Cup-winning defender departed Old Trafford on a high note last summer after helping Manchester United win the FA Cup.

After suffering an unfortunate injury at new club Como, Raphael Varane announced his retirement in September. Since then, Varane has reflected on his United exit and become a board member at Como as the first chapter of his post-playing career.

Raphael Varane ended his time at United having made 95 appearances and he lifted the FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his time under Erik ten Hag.

During his three years at the club, he also witnessed Marcus Rashford enjoy his best spell of form when he scored 30 goals in the 2022/23 campaign.

Just a few months after Varane’s exit, Rashford has now joined Aston Villa on loan after going public with his desire for a ‘new challenge’.

Raphael Varane comments on Marcus Rashford joining Aston Villa

Rashford was told he had to leave United by legend Wayne Rooney in order to get a fresh start, and it seems he has made a strong first impression at Villa.

Unai Emery has been delighted by Rashford during the early stages of his Villa spell, and to make matters worse United are now extremely short of attacking options after Amad Diallo was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Speaking about Marcus Rashford’s move, Varane sees it as a “positive” for the United academy star, but he admits he is surprised by one thing.

Speaking to The Athletic, Varane said: “Staying for so many years with this level of intensity and demand, years when the overall atmosphere is often negative because performances are below expectations, it’s very, very difficult.

“For him to change his environment is positive. He is someone who loves the club and who gives everything for the shirt.

“But I’m surprised he’s going (to a club) so close to Manchester. I imagined him going further than a few kilometres away.”

Marcus Rashford’s dream Man United exit collapsed

Varane was not the only one surprised to see Rashford join a nearby club and stay in the Premier League.

The reality is that Rashford’s dream move to Barcelona was simply impossible over January due to the Spanish club’s financial problems.

However, staying put in Manchester after being dropped by Ruben Amorim wasn’t an option that Rashford was considering, so a move to Villa Park made the most sense.

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Rashford says he sees his Villa move as “short term”, but a £40m buy option attached to his loan move suggests it could be more permanent than he lets on.

A move elsewhere in the summer could still be on the cards – as could a return to United – but joining Barcelona still seems unlikely. That is because Barcelona’s interest in Luis Diaz dents Rashford’s chances of making the move to Spain.