Raphael Varane image 19

Raphael Varane France flag

2023-24 Performances


View full 2023-24 profile

5.8 Season Average Rating
Appearances
32
Clean sheets
12
Goals
1
Assists
0
Yellow cards
2
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Most underrated CB in the world. Some people talk as though he's just a placeholder until we find a better partner for Martinez, it's mad. When he's fit he starts over anyone for most teams.
 
Most underrated CB in the world. Some people talk as though he's just a placeholder until we find a better partner for Martinez, it's mad. When he's fit he starts over anyone for most teams.
I know it’s Twitter but this post had me scratching my head.



Deliberately left out for engagement?
 
He looks cumbersome and heavy footed from time to time, but when he wants to, he has serious pace to burn. Wasn't it Kroos who said no RM player was able to outpace him during their tenure at RM together? That was a few years ago, but he still shows his speed over distance when he has to. Smalling was similar in that he looked clumsy while moving, but he was deceptively fast. I think Varane's positioning, which is quite brilliant, also makes him run around less now than he used to when he was younger.

I'm not disputing Varane has speed and has used it in the past, I just don't think he has it in his locker as readily available as before. I guess if I had to simplify it, I think once he gets going he still has a good straight line speed/recovery pace, it's when he has to react to someone running off his shoulder or in behind that I find the 'problem'.

I hope I'm wrong and I don't think it's a major issue for now but it's a concern because I can see the 'visible' physical decline. I would go as far as to say, we should be looking at a serious replacement/backup-potential-to-replace next summer, although that is true for pretty much every position (for competition for places) if we really want to be successful.
 
Most underrated CB in the world. Some people talk as though he's just a placeholder until we find a better partner for Martinez, it's mad. When he's fit he starts over anyone for most teams.
I think that's the only reason the talks are there as Varane's fairly injury prone. In my opinion we ideally sign a younger player whos got 2-3 years before he's ready to be an undisputed starter to partner Martinez.
 
Most underrated CB in the world. Some people talk as though he's just a placeholder until we find a better partner for Martinez, it's mad. When he's fit he starts over anyone for most teams.
Unless I’m living on another planet, he’s widely renowned as the best CB in the world. Certainly top 3
 
This might be unpopular but I think some players get viewed differently due to past achievements and their name. Or at least critical analysis of them is appraised differently.

Im not saying Varane isn’t still one of the defenders in the league but all players have strengths and weaknesses. Age and fitness also have an affect on form and every player is vulnerable in a top team if they wish to continue to improve and develop.

I just hope people have the same energy when defending or being critical of all our players, or at least offer reasonable explanations for refuting opinions.
 
Lewis Dunk being on the list over Varane :lol:

Dunk is comically overrated and clumsy as feck. If he ever signed for United it would be exactly the same as the Maguire situation
 
Unless I’m living on another planet, he’s widely renowned as the best CB in the world. Certainly top 3
Maybe four years ago. Varane dropped off a bit in his last two seasons at Real and he was fairly average in his first season here. Last season he was back to being good (although I do think Martinez was better), but hopefully we'll see that level or better continue for the next few seasons while having less injuries.
 
Our best defender if we talk about the defensive work but I am too worried about his injuries.
Only Dias is arguably better than him on that list.
I was quite impressed with Schär last season and think him and Botman were the best CB pair in the league.
 
He’s brilliant.

But he signed for us while we’ve been shit and is unreliable from a fitness perspective, so nobody really gives him a thought.

I’d give my left bollock to keep him fit for 38 games.
 
He’s clearly been left out of that list on purpose for maximum engagement because they know Utd is the most supported club in the PL and the replies will be filled with fans saying where’s Varane? The alternative is they’re genuine morons who should give up watching football immediately.
 
He's probably one of the most underrated players in the PL
Yep, whilst they seemingly praise VVD as a god like figure, nevermind the form he’s shown :lol:

On topic: possibly Varane is a little underrated because he’s not consistently been injury free to show his best form for us over a prolonged period? (Yes, on that same score a few of those other defenders shouldn’t be there but I’m referring specifically to Varane). He joined during that clusterfeck of a season and it seemed like as he got going he got injured again.
 
I notice he was left out of the Dortmund game for precautionary reasons. It is a bit concerning that we seem to have to manage him like he's 35.

Bit worried that we are going to end up without him again for 20-30 games this season and Lindelof whilst a good back-up, is still a big drop-off from Varane quality-wise.
 
I notice he was left out of the Dortmund game for precautionary reasons. It is a bit concerning that we seem to have to manage him like he's 35.

Bit worried that we are going to end up without him again for 20-30 games this season and Lindelof whilst a good back-up, is still a big drop-off from Varane quality-wise.
When I see Maguire still in the pitch playing, its a reminder progress is not being made fast enough. That United centre-back option is one injury away from disaster. We really has to sort out the centre-back position.
 
He looked a tad slower than usual hope he remains sharp in the next 2-3 years
 
It may sound dramatic but I think 2 years would be lucky. I’m not even sure what his injuries were but anything that affects your agility will have an impact. Especially when turning sharply and then accelerating quickly.
 
Both varane and Casemiro will need replacing next season or the one after and probably become starters for main matches but rested more than they have done.

ideally, with more money (and we’ve done well this transfer window so not complaining), we need some young players top quality players to learn from both of them this season
 
He shared some very valid concerns here; the FA should do better for their players and the fans. No matter what bad tongues will say, I'm glad to have him as another type of leader in our team.

 
That’s him red carded every game next season then. Not that I disagree with him. Fixture congestion leads to an overall lower quality of football anyway.

Out of interest, what are those recommendations he mentioned about longer games and more intensity?
 
I mean isn't it collective issue?

All football governing body should strictly seperate international football and club football entirely in a season.

Extend football break from 2 months to 3, pre-season pushed further forward.

Do everything they can to prolong their career.
 
That’s him red carded every game next season then. Not that I disagree with him. Fixture congestion leads to an overall lower quality of football anyway.

Out of interest, what are those recommendations he mentioned about longer games and more intensity?
I think it's World Cup style implementation of additional time at the end of games.
 
I think it's World Cup style implementation of additional time at the end of games.

To be totally fair the players have made that rod for their backs by their ridiculous time wasting. I am fully in favor of added time at the end of games like how it was done in the World Cup, or the addition of stop clocks and shortening the halves as necessary. That is one area I do not have any sympathy for them regarding.
 
Scored a goal. Not sure why he was up the pitch but worked out well.

Defensively, Cunha seemed to terrify us.
 
I wrote AWB as my motm, but it's actually Varane. He did his silently but brilliant display again. In the first half when some Wolves player broke free through the middle, they had a 3 on 2 situation, but Varane handled it perfectly. Followed him into the middle but positioned his body to cut off the angle when the pass had to be made, and then he also got a foot on the shot forcing it wide. Great defending throughout the match, and then sealed it off with the winner.
 
Love this guy. Great defender and also showing excellent leader qualities. Deserves being vice captain.
 
Played well yesterday.

He had a hard time without Licha, as we know that Varane needs a commanding CB next to him to be very good.

Nevertheless was very good but the difference between him Licha and Lindelof is huge
 
I laugh at the posters who want this man replaced because a younger CB can dribble better than him. He is easily our best defender and also extremely important at winning aerial duels. He also happens to be the leader of the back four and judging by his talk to the team in the huddle before the second half, one of the main leaders in the team too.

He was always my choice for the captaincy. Bruno and Casemiro are too chaotic at times, while Rapha exudes calmness and confidence.

He was often the one at the back getting there just in time to shut out near certain goals.
 
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