Two seasons in, how do you rate the Varane signing?

Surprised that fan "suddenly" think Varane is injury prone. So he is not a 21 years old neither, and his wage is not 80K. Any more?

He is exactly as I have expected. Perform like a master when fit and available, that's why I am also pleased with Lindelof, who step up whenever is required.

The real problem is with fans, who expect a 21 years old CB. ETH has a tendency to keep his Best 11 week in week out ever for 50 games a season, but my perception on his protection of Varane last season was well. Just make sure he only plays 35+ games a season.
 
Fantastic player but he’s not been fit enough to have the impact to our back line you’d expect from such a quality player.

he almost played the same amount of games as Lindelof last season. Is he our 1st choice or Lindelof?

Overall I’d give it a 7/10 because the fee wasn’t astronomical.
 
PSV said:
He's usually been good when he has played, but big picture he's just another one of the prime examples of how awful our transfer policies are.
Click to expand...
Why? He's a world class player with loads of top level experience at a still somewhat modest age for a defender. This is exactly the kind of player one would want in the mix of the squad, is it not?
 
As Rio was once described, a Rolls-Royce of a defender.

But everyone knew he was injury prone, so was he worth the initial outlay + huge salary! I reckon we would have been better off spending a higher transfer fee + lower salary on a long-term solution, but sadly, the stupid decisions are symptomatic of the club.
See Casemiro as another example, line up the pocket of other clubs so they can bring in better players!
 
Last edited:
Varun1 said:
As Rio was once described, a Rolls-Royce of a defender.

But everyone knew he was injury prone, so was he worth the initial outlay + huge salary! I reckon we would have been better off spending a higher transfer fee + lower salary on a long-term solution, but sadly, the stupid decisions are symtomatic of the club.
See Casemiro as another example, line up the pocket of other clubs so they can bring in better players!
Click to expand...
I would disagree, ok he has been injured but he is quality. He was one of the reasons we made the champions league this season.
 
He was a very good signing and is a superb player. The reliability and half time changes are annoying but i would still rather have Varane for half the season than certain others for every game. He does need a long term understudy though as although he is still relatively young for a CB the sheer amount of games he has played at the very top of the elite level over his career must surely take its toll. I just dont think he will have Ronaldo longevity. I cant see whay anyone would regret the signing though. Its the responsibility of the club to bring in the right lad to be ready to step up as an understudy.
 
aganley said:
I would disagree, ok he has been injured but he is quality. He was one of the reasons we made the champions league this season.
Click to expand...
Maybe a younger defender would have been available for more games and won us the same number/more points and also provided a long term solution.
 
Varun1 said:
Maybe a younger defender would have been available for more games and won us the same number/more points and also provided a long term solution.
Click to expand...

Or maybe we'd have signed Jonny Evans. You have a lot more faith in the Glazers than I do.
 
i think he met expectations... i knew injuries would be an issue for him but when he plays he's generally very consistent... i can hardly remember a really poor game by him
 
sullydnl said:
Curious to see how people rate this signing at this point?

On the one hand, he's an obviously class defender who has clearly improved the team.

On the other hand, he has had more than his fair share of injury issues over that time, with him making fewer appearances in either season here than he did in any of his five previous seasons for Madrid.

Screenshot_20230830_113243_Chrome.jpg


With him starting the third season off with another injury, I've seen a fair few posters discussing the need for us to sign another CB and/or the possibility of Varane leaving the club at some point, even as early as next summer (in reference to rumours of interest in him from the Saudi league). Which ideally isn't the sort of conversation you'd have around a player after two seasons, even if they're quite arguably your best defender when they play.

With all that considered, how do you rate the signing at this point? Have we just been unlucky with his injuries or is that something we could have anticipated? If you think he will only last another season or two, do you wish we'd identified a more long term option instead or do you think his quality in the games he'll have played over that shorter period fully justifies the signing? Or do you think the concerns are overblown and he'll be here for many seasons yet?
Click to expand...

Overall not great really, symbolic of the Woodward era - taking "names" who have peaked and handing them massive contracts.

I'd say his performances on the pitch have only been fair/good, and given his massive salary and injury record, I feel we could definitely have done better
 
6-7/10. His lack of durability a major issue now and probably why Madrid let him go.
 
I'd sell him next summer. I think when he has played for us he's been generally excellent. There's been a few hiccups, of course. A few dodgy games. But generally, he's been really good.

But we can't rely on him. Sell him, and get someone else in next season. It's a shame though.
 
FortunaUtd said:
Why? He's a world class player with loads of top level experience at a still somewhat modest age for a defender. This is exactly the kind of player one would want in the mix of the squad, is it not?
Click to expand...
It's an aging player (for a transfer) with tons of previous injury issues and bar the newly emerged Saudi possibility you are unlikely to recoup any significant sum.
 
Class when he's fit? And you cannot get a full season out of him, Lindelof is the better option than Maguire imo, imo onana will be petrified to pass Maguire the ball from the back . Varane needs to be replaced next season, need CB who arnt injured , and Maguire is rarely injured but not good enough.
 
limerickcitykid said:
Poor. He was dreadful in the 21/22 season. Misses half the matches. And even though he was better last season his mistakes are often brushed over due to his name.
Click to expand...

6.5/10

I agree that his mistakes are brushed over. Definitely a little overrated.

To me he is closer to MIKE SMALLING than Rio Ferdinand in current ability
 
Steady and composed when fit but all the injuries he picks up doesn't make him as one to rely on I'll be surprised if he's a United player next season.
 
If I’m being totally honest I’d say I’m a little bit disappointed. Maybe it’s the high expectations that I had before his arrival and the cumulative affects of his injury record though.
I was expecting prime Rio but he hasn’t been as commanding in this regard for me and has lost some duels I thought he should win. I’ve generally put this down to rustinesses but it’s has an effect.
Before I’m totally ridiculed though I will say when he is on song he is definitely one of the best defenders in Europe but I have the feeling getting him to 100% will be more difficult than we like or hope.
 
He’s been an excellent signing IMO. Yes I’d prefer he be less injury prone but he’s so important for our defence whenever he plays (which is a lot anyway). Absolute class player.
 
By far our best CB in post SAF era, but quite injury-prone.

We should try to replace him next season.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.