Raphael Varane Reveals Why Manchester United’s ‘Project Didn’t Suit’ Him
After a brief stint with Serie A team Como, former Manchester United defender Raphael Varane spoke candidly on why he thought his time at Old Trafford had come to an end and how he knew his football career was over.
Varane’s three-year tenure with the Premier League’s biggest teams came to an end when his contract with Manchester United expired in the summer. The Frenchman had first thought about staying longer at Old Trafford, but in the end, he felt that his professional objectives were no longer in line with the club’s changing ambition. Varane decided to sign with recently promoted Serie A outfit Como, where former colleague Cesc Fabregas was coaching, despite interest from multiple clubs.
A Short Stay in Como and Retirement for Varane
Varane only lasted 23 minutes at Como after suffering an injury during his debut. The 31-year-old decided to terminate his professional football career shortly after, bringing his career to an end. The former Real Madrid player acknowledged that, although he had intended to start over in Italy, the injury solidified his decision to retire from competition.
What Varane Said
Reflecting on his final days at Manchester United and his move to Como, Varane told L’Equipe:
“At the start of my last season at Manchester United, I was already telling myself that I would have liked to finish there, to extend the adventure a little further. It didn’t happen, and the summer was very eventful. I was looking for something special, and that’s how I found Como.”
Varane also shared his thoughts on why Como appealed to him:
“With United, I finished with a victory in the FA Cup, but I already knew that the club’s project didn’t suit me. Como was a project that stood out—it wasn’t exotic or financially rewarding, but humanly it made sense, and it still does, since I’m going to stay by their side.”
On his retirement decision, Varane explained:
“I also wanted to play only once a week. After the preseason, the family was supposed to follow me to Italy, but when I got injured on the 11th of July, I knew right away that it was over. I was sure of myself, because I had anticipated it.”
