Former Real Madrid star Raphael Varane has insisted that his ex-Manchester United teammate played at Old Trafford amid an “often negative” atmosphere when performances were “below expectations.”
The 31-year-old Frenchman left Manchester United last summer after his contract expired and went on to sign for Serie A outfit Como.
Raphael Varane’s last match for United came in the 2024 FA Cup final, with former Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag leading the club to the trophy last May.
Following the FA Cup final win over Manchester City at Wembley, the former United defender’s playing career took a turn for the worse.
Varane suffered a knee injury in the first half of the Coppa Italia tie against Sampdoria last August and was placed on the sideline.
However, the 2018 World Cup winner made the decision to call it time on his illustrious playing career in September 2024.
During his time at Old Trafford, Varane made 95 appearances for the Red Devils and the ex-United centre-back lifted an FA Cup and a League Cup.
Varane speaks out on Man Utd talent
Following his exit from Real Madrid in 2021 and arrival at Manchester United, Raphael Varane crossed paths with Marcus Rashford as his new teammate.
Marcus Rashford’s career at Old Trafford took an interest turning earlier this month after his high-profile exit from United and signing on loan for Aston Villa.
The 27-year-old United forward’s form has fallen off a cliff in the 2023-24 campaign and the 2024-25 season and Rashford looked a shadow of his former self.
Rashford lost his place in the starting XI under United manager Ruben Amorim and the England international left Old Trafford during the January transfer window.
Aston Villa did not pay a loan fee for the United ace and will cover a large portion of Rashford’s wages during his six-month loan spell at Villa Park.
United have inserted an option for Villa to buy Rashford for £40m, with the Three Lions star deemed surplus to requirement at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim.
Speaking to The Athletic, Varane said of Rashford: “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 so close to Manchester. I imagined him going further than a few kilometres away.”
Man Utd star Rashford at Villa so far
Marcus Rashford made his debut for Aston Villa after he came off the bench for the 2-1 FA Cup win over Tottenham in the fourth round at Villa Park earlier this month.
The United loanee was then subbed on for the 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town before making his first start for the club in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Wednesday.
Speaking after the match against Liverpool, Villa manager Unai Emery praised what he has seen from Rashford so far after his move from United.
“They played good [Asensio and Rashford],” he said.
“They are adapting fantastically. They played 60-65 minutes so it’s another step forward from them by getting confidence and minutes, knowing the players and the idea.
“So, they played good.”
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