Raphael Varane.

Varane anticipating a 'new start'

Saturday 18 June 2022 07:00

It is probably fair to say the 2021/22 campaign was not the season Raphael Varane had hoped for, when joining Manchester United from Real Madrid last summer.

The classy World Cup winner was restricted to 29 appearances in all competitions for his new club, due to injury, as the Reds suffered a disappointing time, all round.

However, the introduction of Erik ten Hag as manager has already got everybody looking forward with anticipation to the big kick-off in August, and Varane is no different, as he aims to build momentum and show his world-class capabilities on a regular basis.

Varane scored his first goal for the club against Brentford in May.

We asked the centre-back about his expectations for Tour 2022, which will begin with a game against dual domestic cup winners Liverpool in Thailand on 12 July.

"It’s a new season, it’s a new start, so everyone is excited to know about the new manager," he told club media recently. "Obviously, we want to do well and win every game so, for this, we’ll have to prepare for the new season, and I think it’s important for us to train hard and be ready.

"We want to be ready for the new season," he reiterated. "We need to work very hard and there will be a lot of training sessions, and a lot of games, so I think it will be interesting and a great moment to work very hard and to prepare for the season."

Varane accepts there is usually a different feel to tour games, with preparation the main aim, but he is looking to get a taste of the global appeal the club enjoys.

"I think it’s a different atmosphere, it’s pre-season so we have to get fit, we have to prepare," he acknowledged.

"I think it’s always exciting to play in front of our fans around the world, it’s a good experience for us, and it’s a good moment to prepare for the season."

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