Varane ready to recharge batteries

The France stalwart put his body on the line in helping Les Bleus go all the way to the World Cup final in Qatar, only to lose out in a penalty shootout to victors Argentina.

He released an emotional message when making the announcement, and followed it up with a detailed explanation to Canal+, admitting: "I gave everything: physically and mentally. But the very highest level is like a washing machine. You play all the time and never stop. We have overloaded schedules and play non-stop.

"Right now, I feel like I'm suffocating and that [Varane] the player is gobbling up [Varane] the man."

The 30-year-old will therefore get the chance to relax and refresh this summer, while France play Euro 2024 qualifiers against Gibraltar and Greece. It should certainly stand him in good stead when it comes to reporting back for pre-season training at Carrington.

“Yeah, it has been a very long season," he told club media. "So the last rest was in June last year! So yeah, I think it's important to charge the batteries and come back stronger.

"I think sometimes it's the best work you can do. So I need to rest too. And as I say, come back stronger because the next season will be a big challenge and I’m very excited. So we have to be ready for it.”

The elegant centre-back was injured in the Europa League tie against Sevilla in April, the same game when defensive partner Lisandro Martinez picked up a foot problem that ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

Thankfully, although being treated carefully, Rapha was able to return in the run-in to help United achieve the aim of securing a top-four place, finishing in third spot ahead of Newcastle United, and also appear in the Emirates FA Cup final against Manchester City.

With his vast experience of the Champions League, winning it four times, he is likely to prove crucial when we begin our campaign ihat competition later this year.

It is something that clearly motivates the ice-cool defender.

"It's very important," he said of our return to Europe's premier tournament. "I think it's the standard of the club. 

"Obviously, the league is very competitive, but that was very important, a big target this season and we achieved it.

"So I am very happy to be back in the Champions League."

The two-legged win over La Liga winners Barcelona in the Europa League play-off certainly suggested United should fear nobody next term.

"I think, this season, we showed we can beat any team in the world," declared Varane. "So we have to be confident. Not too much, but just enough, because we need to believe. We have to believe because we can do it."

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