Raphael Varane
- Thread starter Ringo 07
- Start date
Last season I was massacred by certain Redcafe posters when I said that if Smalling does well then he may well end up taking Evans place in the pecking order. While I understood those posters point of view (Evans was fresh from a brilliant season and had more experience then Smalling), experience had taught me that young defenders are very volatile and difficult to predict.
My point is that if Varane truly believe in his abilities then he shouldnt be scared of competition. Our defense is passing from a rather interesting time in terms of young players. Gaz has retired, the Da Silva twins while showing great talent has yet to cement their place in the first team (Fabio may well end up winger for all we know), Rio won't last forever and there's a big chance that Wes will leave the club. That would cause a tsunami in terms of first team places. One mustn't also forget that Vidic is 29 so in 5 years time (when this kid will have 22), he will need to be replaced. He's shouldn't be too cocky about taking his chances with us. Many defenders has chosen the easier way out (signing with smaller clubs) and has vanished in oblivion OR else it took them ages to finally sign with a big club (ex Mexes). As I said its all a matter of confidence. If Varane believes that he's good then he should sign with us.
My point is that if Varane truly believe in his abilities then he shouldnt be scared of competition. Our defense is passing from a rather interesting time in terms of young players. Gaz has retired, the Da Silva twins while showing great talent has yet to cement their place in the first team (Fabio may well end up winger for all we know), Rio won't last forever and there's a big chance that Wes will leave the club. That would cause a tsunami in terms of first team places. One mustn't also forget that Vidic is 29 so in 5 years time (when this kid will have 22), he will need to be replaced. He's shouldn't be too cocky about taking his chances with us. Many defenders has chosen the easier way out (signing with smaller clubs) and has vanished in oblivion OR else it took them ages to finally sign with a big club (ex Mexes). As I said its all a matter of confidence. If Varane believes that he's good then he should sign with us.
I have feeling this kid is looked at the way a Rodwell is. He might see competition in our defence and not realise we could be buying him for our midfield.
I have never seen this guy play, but looking around the web, he seems to be a very good talent.
Its good to see that Fergie is still identifying 18 year old players as potential transfer targets, as it really does show how hungry he is to build another team in the next few years.
You look at our Current back 4
O'Shea(30) Rio(32) Vidic(29) Evra(30)
In the next 5 years, we will have probably changed all 4 defenders.
Potential Future Back 4
Rafael(20) Smalling(21) Evans(23) Fabio(20)
Looking at our current options, I think we have without a doubt the best backup back-4 in the world. We already have a back-bone for what our defence will look like in 5 years time - but we can't just have 4 defenders, so if this lad Varane comes in, he will have a fantastic opportunity to challenge for a Manchester United place in a few years
Its good to see that Fergie is still identifying 18 year old players as potential transfer targets, as it really does show how hungry he is to build another team in the next few years.
You look at our Current back 4
O'Shea(30) Rio(32) Vidic(29) Evra(30)
In the next 5 years, we will have probably changed all 4 defenders.
Potential Future Back 4
Rafael(20) Smalling(21) Evans(23) Fabio(20)
Looking at our current options, I think we have without a doubt the best backup back-4 in the world. We already have a back-bone for what our defence will look like in 5 years time - but we can't just have 4 defenders, so if this lad Varane comes in, he will have a fantastic opportunity to challenge for a Manchester United place in a few years
am sure S.A.F. will tell Varane he has another role in the middle.
Didn't we offer to do that with Ramsey? Pretty sure we did and that was one of the reasons he opted for Arsenal
I also thought it was because Wenger courted him, and his family, personally even going to see them when they were on holiday.
They sent Wenger, we sent Neville.
I think if he's 18 and has been able to play even a few game at DM is a top european league then its a fair bet that given time he should be able to make that his natural position.
I believe none of this tbh.
We had even signed Dodo few months back only to realize that we actually hadn't.
Can't believe anything till its official.
We had even signed Dodo few months back only to realize that we actually hadn't.
Can't believe anything till its official.
I wonder would he fill Neville's spot in the squad and provide more cover at fullback too?
We did sign an option on Dodo, and then chose not to use it. It was a little confusing, but not all that weird.
The signing of another CB is also entirely believable - Rio's injury record has been poor of late, and it's unlikely to get much better as he gets ever older. Meanwhile we have Brown, also ageing, out of favour, entering the last year of his contract, and apparently unhappy with his role. O'Shea also isn't getting any younger, and Evans has had his wobbles of late.
In my opinion, buying another good young CB seems like a smart move.
I think there's more chance of Evans being used as a right back with Varane taking his centre back place, he doesn't look to have the skillset for a fullback at all.
Also, he looks fecking huge. Looked like the biggest player on the pitch against Marseille, which is impressive in itself.
First signing out of three then. The other is a keeper, so one outfield position left.
The average age of our first-team defence may have also influenced Fergie decision to bring a new younger keeper (than VDS). He cannot risk changing all the defence at once.
Having said that, the likes of Vidic and Evra can easily play on these levels for 3-4 more years. Not so sure about Rio though
Rio isn't really dependant on pace anymore, it's all about his positioning and ability to read play. If he keeps his injuries away he has a few years left in him yet.
Plus, if he is that good, why not sign him for the prices quoted!
According to sources, he was approved sixteen months ago and is still writing up the paperwork.
Two 'W's, man. That's the equivalent of no less than four 'V's.
He really should be promoted, if only for those scouting reports. Although I guess there's a chance 99% of what he posts is garbage, obviously I only see the good stuff that is copied over to the main forum.
fecks sake, thats a scary pic.
DTguardian Raphael Varane, Lens defender, on #MUFC talks: 'It's a dream. I'm talking to my parents to decide what is best'
if thats the case go for it kid !!!! you'll fecking love it
Even if he signs I don't think he is one of the 3 signings the manager was referring to
Why not? We signed Bebe, Smalling and Hernandez last summer.
What's that got to do with it? He didn't say "we'll sign three players like we did last summer", did he?
It annoys mr when I hear this. It obviously cost us in that deal but how many signings have attributed Fergusons personal approach as the reason fort em signing? Theremust have been a good reason Ferguson was too busy to do it.
Given how well Smalling and Hernandez contributed this season, would there be anything wrong with signing 2 more potential talents like that (Varane being one of them) and then a more proven goalkeeper?
Given we won the league and reached the champions league final, I dont think we should expect 3 "major signings", we dont tend to make them these days anyway
Is it just me or there isn't really much to think about when United want you. I guess its the fan in me talking but seriously why would anyone reject the chance to play for this club, especially a talented youngster? Everything needed to succeed at the top level for a young player is right here.
Depends on the definition of major signing. Had the club not signed Hernandez prior to the World Cup, his fee would have swelled to more than double, probably triple the price paid, and thus would have then been labeled a major signing. Granted, a bidding war would have ensued with a few other clubs and it's possible United would have lost out to Chelsea, or City, or whomever.
And if we wait on Varane he might be considered a major signing at triple the price.
I'm sure thats why we're in there already trying to get this done for a lower fee, taking advantage of the fact Lens are relegated and need to sell the player.
I mean look at Smalling, he had some obvious qualities but the truth is last season at Fulham he was making mistakes and didnt look like one of their best 2 CBs. The manager/our scouts saw this season's Smalling in him and thank god for that, we needed him. If they see something in Varane too he could be just as good a signing
Well the next World Cup is three years away so I'm not worried.
Its not just a world cup that inflates a player's price. If we dont sign him another top club might, or at least a better Ligue 1 side. And if does well for a season his price could be right up there
I'm not saying his fee will inflate. I was commenting on the major signing comment. If other clubs enter the bidding process and the fee rises drastically, does he become a major signing only because of the fee paid?
Not at all.
Certainly. But if you don't recognise mistakes then you're doomed to repeated them. Stay annoyed, keeps you sharp.
Is he playing for Lens tonight?
In midfield apparently
Yes. They are 1-0 down at HT at home to Arles - the only club below them on 20 points (compared to 35 for Lens).
I think the talk of him playing in midfield is very misleading. People criticised Carrick for 'playing as a third centre back' but Varane genuinely does play as a third centre back (even against the more defensive teams) when I've seen him. He isn't in possession very often as Lens play a very direct game, his starting position is quite deep and he doesn't often move further forward than that (often the opposite) and he basically plays a purely defensive role. Nothing like Rodwell in terms of how he's played in midfield. Maybe he can play in midfield (I've not seen anything to suggest so although he isn't lacking technically) but he hasn't been. At least not in the way we use midfielders.