Real Sociedad defender Robin Le Normand has labelled injured Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane an “inspiration” and one of the best players in the world.
United’s number 19 won’t play for the Red Devils again before the World Cup having suffered a hamstring injury against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month.
The 29-year-old was visibly distressed and emotional after picking up the injury when attempting to tackle Blues striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with his World Cup chances plunged into doubt.
Varane, who was such a vital part of Les Bleus becoming world champions in Russia four years ago, will be hoping that Didier Deschamps includes him in France’s 26-man squad for Qatar.
France’s first World Cup match and the start of their quest to defend the trophy comes in 19 days time against Australia.
Real Sociedad defender Robin Le Normand heaps praise on Raphael Varane
French defender Le Normand won’t face Varane tonight in the all-important Europa League Group E showdown in San Sebastian, but in an interview with The Athletic, Sociedad’s number 24 spoke about the influence the four-time Champions League winner has had on his career.
The 25-year-old, who is yet to be capped by France, said: “Rafa Varane is an example for me, an inspiration even, someone who went from the French second division to Spain as a young player to win everything with Real Madrid.
“He’s one of the best in the world.
“I played against him a few times. He’d speak to me after the games in French. Small chats, he’s a good guy, a real competitor in the game but friendly off it.
“It shows that if you work and you have the talent, the physique, you can reach the top.”
Le Normand missed Sociedad’s controversial 1-0 win at Old Trafford back in September through injury and he also missed the 0-0 draw at the Theatre of Dreams in February.
The Frenchman’s only experience of playing the Red Devils was a bad one when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side won 4-0 in Turin in a Europa League round of 32 first leg.
United need to win by two goals tonight to usurp the La Liga side and qualify for the last-16 winners.
If we finish second, we will face a side who finished third in the Champions League groups in a play-off with the draw for that taking place on Monday.
Ajax, Bayer Leverkusen, Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, Salzburg, Shakhtar Donetsk, Sevilla and Juventus are the eight sides dropping into the Champions League.
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