Raphael Varane makes honest admission about Man United’s ‘project’ as he reflects on summer exit

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Raphael Varane only spent three years with Manchester United but he was adored by the Old Trafford faithful.

Raphael Varane joined Manchester United from Real Madrid in 2021, 10 years after he had been linked with a move to the club as a teenager.

By the time he did join the Red Devils, Varane had lifted four Champions League trophies and the World Cup.

The France international was still only 28 years old when he joined Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, and Varane added to his trophy haul by winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup with United under Erik ten Hag.

However, Varane left United as a free agent this summer, with his last ever game for the club coming in the 2-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

Varane announced his retirement last month after recurring injury problems. He was unable to play for Como but has remained at the Italian club as an ambassador.

Raphael Varane reflects on Man United exit

Despite his injury issues at United, Varane was a fan favourite at Old Trafford because of his passion for the club and the fanbase.

Varane has now opened up on his retirement and Manchester United exit in a heartfelt interview with French outlet L’Equipe.

When asked about when he considered retirement, Varane said: “At the start of my last season at Manchester United, I was already telling myself that I would have liked to finish there, to extend the adventure a little.

“It didn’t happen, and the summer was very eventful. I was looking for something special, and that’s how I found Come.

“With Manchester United, I finished with a victory in the Cup, but I already knew that the club’s project didn’t suit me.

“Come was a project that stood out, it wasn’t exotic, not financial, but humanly it made sense, and it still does, since I’m going to stay by their side.”

Varane’s comments about United’s project are particularly interesting given that the club had just come under the ownership of Ineos.

However, Ineos’ transfer strategy at United has been to target young and upcoming players – a bracket that Varane unfortunately no longer falls into.

Raphael Varane was superb at Manchester United

The decision to let Varane leave has been justified because of his early retirement – it was the right time for United to wave goodbye to the Frenchman.

But Varane will go down as one of the better signings made by the Red Devils since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo sends message to Raphael Varane after major retirement announcement, pays tribute

He made 95 total appearances for United and scored twice. There are five standout performances from Varane‘s time at Old Trafford, including his incredible performance against City in the FA Cup after recovering from injury.

United replaced Varane with Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro this summer, and it is unfortunate that Varane is still not around to pass on his knowledge to the young defensive duo.