Raphael Varane thinks Manchester United has the ability and attitude to win the Champions League this year.

The Red Devils have had a terrible start to the 2023–24 season, losing four of their first seven Premier League games and struggling with a number of off-field problems.

In the first round of Champions League group stage matches a fortnight ago, Bayern Munich defeated them 4-3.

Despite their challenging start to the season, Varane, who won four European Cups while a member of Real Madrid, thinks United have what it takes to win it all this year.

“Yes, I think so [United can win the Champions League]. I think the qualities in the squad, as I say, that competition is difficult, you have to take care of every detail, but we have a team with quality, with a good mentality,” he said ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Galatasaray.

“Yeah, we have to make some improvements, it’s not the start of the season we expected, but I still believe we have the quality to compete with the best teams in the world.

“I think the competition is about details and you have to be efficient to win the competition. In the last weeks, I think it’s what we can improve: it’s to be more efficient in front of the goals.

“With a very low number of occasions we concede goals and we need to create a lot to score, so that’s the reality of top level, you need to be efficient to win trophies.

“I think we have the quality in the squad to play and to win that competition but we have to improve and tomorrow is a great opportunity to get the first points in the competition, to move forward and improve.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led United to a historic and unlikely comeback against PSG in 2019. Since reaching the final in 2011, United has just advanced past the round of 16.

United was defeated by Atletico Madrid in the round of 16 during Varane’s lone Champions League season with the team.

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At halftime of last Sunday’s 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest, the French centre-back was replaced by Victor Lindelof after complaining of soreness.

Erik ten Hag removed him from the game right away because he didn’t want to make the injury worse while keeping an eye on the Arsenal game.

It was too late, though, as Varane joined Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia in the recovery area as the newest defender.

Due to separate injuries, Amada Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund, and Mason Mount are also unable to play on Sunday and will not be traveling to The Emirates in north London.

ℹ️ Our defender is ruled out of Sunday's trip to the capital.#MUFC || #PL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 30, 2023

Ten Hag might get some relief during the international break as he attempts to bring his injured players back into action before facing Brighton on September 16.

Varane’s injury may give Harry Maguire a chance to win over the manager, who does not currently view the England international as one of his reliable choices.

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Raphael Varane, a defender who has won the Champions League four times, was identified by the United goalkeeper as the teammate with the strongest mindset. Heaton added that despite not serving as the team’s captain, the Frenchman commands the attention of the whole locker room whenever he talks.

After Harry Maguire lost the armband, Bruno Fernandes was recently given that special honour.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Heaton said: “Of course, you don’t play for Manchester United without being strong mentally, I think that pretty much goes throughout the squad. But I’m going to go with Rapha (Raphael Varane) with what he’s done in the past at other clubs and his performances since he’s walked through the door here. He has a really strong mentality with how he goes about it, how he performs in all the games he plays, whatever he’s doing day-to-day. He’s not massively outspoken but when he speaks, people usually listen.”

The World Cup-winning French star is off to a good start this season as he scored the winner in the Red Devils’ season opener against Wolves.

On August 26, Erik ten Hag’s team will play Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

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Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane has spoken out against English football’s governing body for making changes to the rules regarding injury time.

The 2022 World Cup’s stoppage-time protocol, which accounts for every second lost for substitutions, set-piece setup, goal celebrations, and other activities, will be implemented in the Premier League.

As was seen in Sunday’s Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City, where Leandro Trossard’s goal in the 101st minute of play forced penalties, it results in considerable increases in additional time at the end of each half.

Varane has criticized the additional playing time, arguing that players already log too many minutes every game.

“We had a meeting last week with the FA. They recommended from the referees new decisions and rules,” the Man Utd defender explained on Twitter.

“From the managers and players, we have shared our concerns for many years now that there are too many games, the schedule is overcrowded, and it’s at a dangerous level for players physical and mental well-being.

“Despite our previous feedbacks, they have now recommended for next season: longer games, more intensity, and less emotions to be shown by players. We just want to be in good condition on the pitch to give 100% to our club and fans. Why are our opinions not being heard?

“As a player I feel very privileged to do the job I love every day but I feel these changes are damaging our game. We want to be at our maximum level, the best we can be and put on amazing performances for fans to celebrate every week.

“I believe it is important that we, players and managers, highlight these important issues as we want to protect the game we love and give the fans our best.”

We had a meeting last week with the FA. They recommended from the referees new decisions and rules.

From the managers and players, we have shared our concerns for many years now that there are too many games, the schedule is overcrowded, and it’s at a dangerous level for…

— Raphaël Varane (@raphaelvarane) August 7, 2023

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On Saturday, the Red Devils will face Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

Man City’s eyes are set on duplicating Manchester United’s triple of 1999 – they meet Inter in next week’s Champions League final – and the red half of Manchester will be just as eager to destroy those ambitions as they are to win a second trophy this season.

Varane spoke to the Manchester Evening News about his experiences against Guardiola during their respective stints in Spain and how different his Man City team is.

“I really enjoy playing here for Man United, playing in England and feeling good with my teammates, having a good connection with the fans,” he said.

“I think the similarities [with Barcelona in 2011] are Pep and the style of play from City, but it’s different. I don’t think it’s the same thing but I learned a lot from that period in Madrid.”

Varane then spoke about these lessons picked up at Real Madrid, adding: “It was first step at the top level. I learned how to fight, developed that winning mentality. We grew as a team and as a club during that period. I learned a lot and it was very helpful for me.

“We want to develop and be on the top at Manchester United as well. When you start winning you can change the mentality and be more prepared to win more and the biggest trophies.

“We have to be positive, we’re in a good way, but the most important thing is to believe. Even when it’s difficult, we know how important Manchester United are around the world. There’s a lot of pressure, so when the results are not good you have to stay calm and composed.

“When it’s good we have to be relaxed too and not think we are bigger than we are, than the reality. I learned a lot from a club like Madrid and I try to transmit that here.”

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Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has some advice for his squad before their FA Cup match against Manchester City on Saturday.

Erling Haaland, who has 52 goals, will face Manchester United in the FA Cup final versus City on Saturday.

The striker, who scored three goals in the 6-3 Premier League victory against the Red Devils at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season, will pose a serious danger.

Varane has advised his players to shut off the supply line coming from De Bruyne even though he is well aware of the risk Haaland would provide.

“That kind of pass is complicated to defend, so we try to cut that connection. We try to stop them earlier and not at the end because sometimes it’s too late,” he told reporters. “We know we have to be strong. That was part of the plan [in the 2-1 for United] because they have a lot of connections and can change systems and have a different approach to games. It’s one of the things we have to work on.”

Manchester United has defeated City this year, winning 2-1 at Old Trafford in January. They are aware that another victory will stop their neighbourhood rivals from winning the treble this year. Erik Ten Hag’s group would also win their second championship of the year with a victory at Wembley.

Varane is anticipated to start against Manchester City before taking the summer off. The defender has stated that he would stop playing for his country after the World Cup in 2022, thus he will not be joining the France team.

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Erik ten Hag has revealed that Raphael Varane is healthy and ready to rejoin to the Manchester United squad for Saturday’s Premier League match against Wolves.

Varane, a former France international, has been out with a foot injury since April’s 2-2 Europa League loss with Sevilla. His absence was exacerbated by Lisandro Martinez’s season-ending injury at the same time.

In recent weeks, Victor Lindelof has been brought in to accompany natural left-back Luke Shaw in the centre of defence.

Ten Hag verified a knock to striker Marcus Rashford and Varane’s rehabilitation before Manchester United’s match against Wolves.

He said: “He [Rashford] has a problem, an injury on his leg, so he is a big question mark for tomorrow. But we are happy Varane is back.

“[Rashford] is doubtful, more than doubtful. So [there is] a big question mark.”

Varane’s return is welcome news for United, who have slid behind Newcastle in the battle for a Champions League spot after losing back-to-back league games to Brighton and West Ham.

With three of their last four league games against teams currently in the bottom half, the Red Devils’ schedule is kind, and they also have a game in hand on fifth-placed Liverpool, who are a point behind them.

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After the team’s FA Cup semifinal victory over Brighton, Luke Shaw acknowledged that playing centre defence for Manchester United is “not easy.”

Due to the injuries to Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez as well as Harry Maguire’s domestic suspension, the Red Devils’ defence was forced to make use of the natural left-back at the centre position.

Shaw, who has already filled the position a few times this season, appeared very at ease playing with Victor Lindelof in centre defence during the final penalty shootout victory at Wembley Stadium, managing to contain an outstanding Brighton attacking unit for more than 120 minutes.

Despite looking like a natural in the role, speaking to the press after the game, Shaw admitted to finding the positional change to be a challenge, stating: “Obviously it’s not easy [playing at centre-back]. If it was in a three, it’s a bit different. But when it’s two, it’s a lot different, to be honest.

“But whenever I play there, I really enjoy it and obviously we had a couple days [to prepare]. The manager spoke to me about it and Victor of course because against a team like this they’re very tricky, a lot of tactical [information]. Sometimes I had to stay in the middle of the pitch to follow them.

“So it’s something new but I love playing there, I love playing football. To get the win today was the most important thing.”

When Harry Maguire returns from his one-match ban on Thursday evening for the encounter against Tottenham Hotspur, Shaw might be moved back across to left-back.

Luke Shaw has unquestionably been one of Manchester United’s best and most reliable players under Erik ten Hag this season, along with goalscorer Marcus Rashford.

The defender has so far played a significant role in the new manager’s plans, appearing in 39 games across all competitions for the club and consistently turning up strong performances.

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Erik ten Hag has disclosed Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane & Marcus Rashford could miss the return leg against Sevilla with injuries.

An amazing night at Old Trafford came to an end as Manchester United dropped the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal match against Sevilla on Thursday night after surrendering a 2-0 lead in the final 10 minutes.

The Red Devils’ predicament worsened when it was revealed that Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, their two starting centre backs, had both sustained significant injuries. As a result, they are now questionable for the second leg, which will take place in Andalusia on Thursday.

Varane was substituted after the first half, although Martinez needed assistance getting off the field after falling on the ground without any teammates around. Even though Ten Hag was unable to ascertain the exact nature of their injuries, he didn’t appear very concerned and asserted that his team had capable substitutes.

“When Licha Martinez drops out with no opponent involved, it doesn’t look that great. I cannot tell what it is but it is not achilles. No that is not the area. Rapha [Varane] was injured. We have very good replacements [for Licha] with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, so we have players who can replace them. But of course, it is a miss,” he told BT Sport after the match.

“I think he [Martínez] will not play on Sunday. It looks like that but I can’t say what is the diagnosis and I prefer to wait and then we are clear and we know exactly what it is. I have spoken with him [Martínez], he is okay, he is calm. Of course and we compete in three competitions and then you need a squad. So if Licha Martínez, Rapha Varane are not available on Sunday then others have to do it,” he stated.

Ten Hag made a couple of surprising substitutions as he took off Bruno Fernandes and Antony, both on yellow cards, in the fear that they could get sent off and as he had used up all the five changes he was left with no replacements when Martinez had to go off.

However, Ten Hag chose to defend his substitutions and also shared a fitness update on Marcus Rashford: “Bruno I got a warning from the ref about a second booking, same with Antony, I had to make the subs, no other choice. Then Martial, first start for a long period, so we had to make him on the 60. There is a chance [that Rashford returns next Thursday] but I can’t confirm it at this moment.”

After playing Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday, Manchester United will travel to Sevilla for the second leg of the Europa League quarterfinal on Thursday.

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Manchester United captain Harry Maguire feels that his performances this season have done him “justice,” but he is convinced that he will not be satisfied until he plays in every game.

Maguire has unceremoniously fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford this season after being one of the first names on the teamsheet under the previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Erik ten Hag has preferred a Lisandro Martinez–Raphael Varane partnership and will frequently turn to Victor Lindelof from the bench if he wants an extra layer of defensive protection.

After the embarrassing 4-0 loss to Brentford in August, Maguire was benched, and he hasn’t started back-to-back Premier League games since.

“This year I feel I am in a good place mentally, physically and every time I’ve started a game of football I’ve done myself justice and done well,” he said after playing all 90 minutes of the 2-0 win against Everton over the weekend.

“I’m not going to stand here and say I love it, or that I like it. I don’t,” he said of his situation this season. “I want to play every game and I have done for the last eight years of my career. Also, I have to respect the manager and his decisions and also respect how good the competition is at centre-back at this club. It is, and I believe that.”

Having lifted the Carabao Cup already this season, Maguire still has his eyes on two more as United target the FA Cup and Europa League. He also predicts ‘numerous starts’ in what remains of 2022/23.

“I will work as hard as I can in training and take every game as it comes as I’m sure I’m going to get numerous starts between now and the end of the season,” he said.

“It is not like I’ve not started. I’ve started the last two games before the international break against Fulham and Betis. It is not like I’ve been frozen out or not been involved. I’m still playing a lot of games but obviously as a footballer I want to play every game. But I’m sure every other centre-back in the dressing room does as well and the manager cannot play all four.”

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