Raphael Varane has displayed his leadership qualities by stepping up to resolve a dispute between Kylian Mbappe and the French Football Federation.
Earlier this week Mbappe had refused to take part in an official photoshoot, due to a row over image rights, Goal reported.
Now the issue has been resolved with the FFF pledging to reconsider their approach, after Varane helped to step in by lending his support to Mbappe.
Varane showed the FFF that Mbappe was speaking for all the players, and not just himself, standing in solidarity with the striker, while mediating.
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Varane helps resolve Kylian Mbappe dispute
A report from 20 Minutes France reports the FFF agreed to revise their image rights policy after realising key players involving Varane shared the same views as Varane.
Mbappe subsequently took part in the photoshoot, while Varane spoke to the media to explain the situation.
He said: “As I told you in March, there were discussions to be had. As a group, collectively, we want to enforce the individual image rights of each player. It is a request that is simple, logical and legitimate.
“We just want an update to avoid bugs in the future on this subject.”
Varane’s role in this situation shows the stature and high regard in which he is held in the French team, and makes you realise even more, how lucky Manchester United are to have him.
While he has not been pushed into a leadership role at Old Trafford, he fills it naturally, commanding respect from his teammates who adore what he brings to the team.
Varane has conceded only two goals in 495 minutes of football this season for Manchester United.
His role in the French team is undisputed as a starter ahead of the World Cup, but it would be nice if he were to get a rest over the international break.
France face Austria and then Denmark over the international break. Varane suffered injuries twice on international duty last season, and Manchester United will be desperate that the in-form centre-back returns in full health.