Varane: The devil is in the detail
Raphael Varane insists Manchester United can win the UEFA Champions League this season but admits the team will need to improve on recent performances and results.
The Frenchman was an ideal companion for Erik ten Hag at the pre-match press conference for our first home game in the competition, given his track record for winning it with Real Madrid in 2013/14, 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18.
When asked how far away his current side are from lifting the most prestigious trophy in European club football, Varane responded: "I think this competition is about details, and you have to be efficient to win it.
"At the moment, in the last [few] weeks, I think what we can improve is 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. That's the reality of the top level. You have to be efficient to win big trophies."
When asked how far away his current side are from lifting the most prestigious trophy in European club football, Varane responded: "I think this competition is about details, and you have to be efficient to win it.
"At the moment, in the last [few] weeks, I think what we can improve is 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. That's the reality of the top level. You have to be efficient to win big trophies."
Press conference v Galatasaray Video
Press conference v Galatasaray
Press conference | Erik ten Hag and Raphael Varane answer questions from the media before United v Galatasaray…
After being pressed on whether the Reds can be crowned European champions this season, the 30-year-old continued: "Yes, I think so. I think we have the quality in the squad to win the competition.
"As I said, the competition is difficult. You have to take care about every detail.
"But yeah, we have a team with quality, with good mentality. We have to make some improvements, it's not the start of the season we expected, but I still believe we have enough quality to compete with the best teams in the world.
"Tomorrow is a great opportunity to get the first points in that competition and to move forward and to improve."
"As I said, the competition is difficult. You have to take care about every detail.
"But yeah, we have a team with quality, with good mentality. We have to make some improvements, it's not the start of the season we expected, but I still believe we have enough quality to compete with the best teams in the world.
"Tomorrow is a great opportunity to get the first points in that competition and to move forward and to improve."
As well as being overqualified to comment on what it takes to win the Champions League, Varane also has more than enough experience to assess how some of the club's younger players are emerging under Ten Hag and to explain how he and the other elder statesmen in the squad can help them.
"I think they are doing well. They bring energy in the team," said Raphael, after a journalist sought his opinion on the likes of Academy graduates Alejandro Garnacho and Hannibal, plus summer signing Rasmus Hojlund.
"They are still learning, that's normal. And the players with more experience, it's important to show by example, to lead by example and to communicate with them about everything, about how to be professional, how to play, to support the pressure, to be calm and determined during the games.
"We have a lot to do. As a leader, we have to show them and to talk with them. So that's what we try to do. And hopefully they [the younger players] can bring their talent and passion on the pitch. That will be very helpful this season. There are a lot of young talents at the club and, hopefully, they can improve the squad."
"I think they are doing well. They bring energy in the team," said Raphael, after a journalist sought his opinion on the likes of Academy graduates Alejandro Garnacho and Hannibal, plus summer signing Rasmus Hojlund.
"They are still learning, that's normal. And the players with more experience, it's important to show by example, to lead by example and to communicate with them about everything, about how to be professional, how to play, to support the pressure, to be calm and determined during the games.
"We have a lot to do. As a leader, we have to show them and to talk with them. So that's what we try to do. And hopefully they [the younger players] can bring their talent and passion on the pitch. That will be very helpful this season. There are a lot of young talents at the club and, hopefully, they can improve the squad."
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