Varane working on defensive connections

The 28-year-old has impressed at centre-back since his summer move from Real Madrid, playing alongside captain Maguire in Premier League victories over Wolves and Newcastle.

Rapha is a big fan of Harry’s but it’s clear that the whole backline, including the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof, will benefit from his arrival, as he identifies how they can become a strong and cohesive unit.

“Yeah I think he [Harry] is a great player,” Varane told Premier League Productions.

“I think we have to work hard to feel comfortable on the pitch. Every defender in this team, we have to feel connected on the pitch and we will be better together.

“We have to move together, we have to be motivated together. We have to be moving with one another so that’s an important connection and we have to feel comfortable on the pitch.”

Varane was renowned at Real Madrid for his partnership with club captain Sergio Ramos.

But the Frenchman was keen to point out the understanding between the pair was borne from a decade of work and that he hoped similar could be achieved with his new team-mates, given time at Old Trafford.

“With Sergio Ramos I had 10 years to know him and how he moved and how I have to move to be complementary with him,” added Raphael.

“Every day we learn and every day we will do better and improve.”

A four-time Champions League winner, the excitement over Raphael’s move reached fever pitch in mid-August.

Recently, though, all the attention has been on his former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo after his astonishing return to the club.

Varane is more than happy to not be the name in the headlines though and just wants to let his football tell the story.

“No, I don’t play football for this focus. I just want to help the team.

“I just want to do my best, I just want to improve and to be like who I am on the pitch.

“I want to do my best, that’s my objective and my mentality.”