Raphael Varane

The Debate panel react to Varane deal

Tuesday 03 August 2021 11:35

Prospective Manchester United signing Raphael Varane is the 'final piece of the jigsaw' according to one of four regular panellists on MUTV's The Debate.

Manchester United announced on Tuesday last week that a deal had been agreed with Real Madrid to bring Varane to Old Trafford, subject to the completion of personal terms and a medical. The deal is yet to be completely wrapped up, but ex-Reds centre-back David May described the Frenchman as an "elite signing",

"They don't come much better than Varane," May said on The Debate.

 
Is Varane the perfect signing? Video

Is Varane the perfect signing?

How will we line up against Leeds? Who's stood out in pre-season? The latest episode of The Debate is here...

"He'll bring experience and calmness, he's a different class on the ball and everyone's seen that. He's the type of player that United needed. He'll slot in alongside Harry Maguire. I think it's a great signing from Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] and the club have done well to get it done quickly."

Wes Brown, who played 362 times in defence for Manchester United, including in two Champions League-winning squads, believes Varane is coming in at the perfect age (28) for a player of his type.

"Look at the medals he's won," Brown explained. "Signing for United won't faze him."

"We needed another centre-back and to get hold of Varane is a massive signing for Ole, at a fantastic price as well.

"He's played in big games at one of the best teams in the world and so he knows how to handle pressure.

"I'm really excited and it makes great pressure on the rest of the lads, it'll step everyone else's game up."

Varane has won the Champions League four times.

Ben Thornley thinks Varane, who won four Champions League trophies during his decade at Madrid and the 2018 World Cup with France, could be the final piece of United's defensive jigsaw.

"He's a wonderful signing and he's done everything for club and country," said Thornley. "And we're signing him at 28 years of age so he's at the peak of his powers.

"I am excited about it. The signings we've made are the signings that we needed. It creates competition for places and brings quality to the squad as well. You're talking about a defence that has really tightened up over the last 18 months and he could be the final piece of the jigsaw.

Crerand: Varane's a class act

 Article

United legend Paddy Crerand has his say on our prospective new signing Raphael Varane.

"Whether he slots in straight away I'm not sure, if it is, it'll be a proper welcome to the Premier League against Leeds on the first day."

While the signing of 21-year-old winger Jadon Sancho and the prospective capture of Varane are a good start, Danny Webber said he hopes for a little more before the end of August.

"The first two have improved the squad and the first XI," he told host Stewart Gardner.

"We spoke at the back-end of the season about adding three or four and you have to be happy about how United have gone about their business so far, in a timely manner but one or two more would really put the strength into the season."

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