Raphael Varane: Manchester United target’s top honours and 2020/21 performances

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Manchester United have been strongly linked with a move for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.

ESPN reported last week United were close to a deal, although there has not yet been any positive further progress on this.

The France international has endless amounts of experience after 10 years at Real and is still 28. Impressively he is still playing at a very high level.

We have taken a look at his 2020/21 season and his career honours. It is clear United would be signing a very strong player with traits which benefit the team on and off the pitch.

The 2020/21 season

Strong in the air

Varane ranked inside the top 10 in La Liga for winning the highest percentage of his aerial duels: 75.3 per cent.

This compares to Harry Maguire (77.5%), Victor Lindelof (65.7%), Eric Bailly (61.4%) and Axel Tuanzebe (46.2%).

Clearances

Varane is effective at repelling opponents attacks and led Real Madrid in successful clearances. He made 146 in total, and no other Real player made triple figures.

This highlights how effective Harry Maguire is, the England ace managed 176. Victor Lindelof made 132 clearances.

Passes into the final third

Varane completed 103 passes into the final third of the pitch last season, the fifth highest in the Real Madrid squad, above Marcelo and Lucas Vasquez.

This is a long way behind the prolific Harry Maguire (194), but just about more than Victor Lindelof (99).

In possession

Varane ranked second in Real’s squad for progressive carries in possession with 4,406 yards. This ranked only behind Luka Modric.

This was still a long way behind Harry Maguire (6,498) and even Victor Lindelof (5,041). But it is clear from his team-leading role in this field for Real, that Varane has the ability to fit what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer asks of his centre-backs.

Brace

Varane scored two goals in a Real Madrid win over Huesca in February. This was his first brace in a game since 2014.

Varane’s career

Honours

Reeling off a list of Raphael Varane’s honours may take a while. But it speaks volumes for his ability.

At international level his most famous triumph was the 2018 World Cup win.

At club level Varane has won La Liga three times, plus the Copa del Rey once.

Remarkably he has won the Champions League four times, and the UEFA Super Cup three times.

In 2018 he became one of four players in history to win the Champions League and World Cup in the same year.

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