Soccer

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire excited by Varane’s arrival

World Cup winner presented to Old Trafford faithful before 5-1 mauling of Leeds United

Manchester United’s serial winner Raphael Varane was signed from Real Madrid in a multimillion euro deal. Photograph: Getty

Richard Jolly
Sun Aug 15 2021 - 23:07

Harry Maguire believes Raphaël Varane will provide Manchester United with the winning mentality they need as they attempt to end their four-year wait for a trophy.

The World Cup winner completed his €48 million (£41 million) move from Real Madrid on Saturday and was unveiled before United kicked off their season with a 5-1 demolition of Leeds. The United captain – yet to win a trophy in his career – is poised to form a centre back partnership with Varane, who has claimed 19, including four Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles.

“You’ve seen what he’s won over his career,” said Maguire. “He’s played in some of the top teams about – the French squad and Real Madrid – and he’s won absolutely everything. I think he’ll bring that winning mentality and his footballing ability to the club. To bring in players of his calibre is really, really exciting.”

Victor Lindelöf, who has been a regular alongside Maguire since the latter’s 2019 move from Leicester, appears likely to make way for the new signing, though the English man was keen to acclaim United’s depth of resources in the position, with Eric Bailly also in contention.

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“It boosts our defensive options,” said Maguire. “We’ve got an amazing number of centre backs now, all internationals who are all proven in the Premier League.”

On Lindelöf, who set up Bruno Fernandes’s third goal against Leeds with a defence-splitting pass, Maguire said: “You’ve seen again how well Victor played. He’s an excellent footballer so to have this number of top centre backs is great. At one of the biggest clubs in the world you don’t expect to have an easy ride and have no competition for places. Bringing in players is great, we thrive off it.”

United’s other major summer signing, Jadon Sancho, made his debut as a substitute on Saturday. “He’s an exceptional talent,” said Maguire. “I think you’ve seen in little glimpses the talent, the skills, goals, assists. He’s still young but he’s done a lot in the game . . . We know at this club we need to challenge for titles and challenge for trophies. That’s the aim.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side made light work of a disrupted pre-season and their absent players when kicking off the 2021-22 campaign with a bang against old foes Leeds on Saturday lunchtime. Old Trafford’s first full house in 17 months enjoyed a day to remember, with Bruno Fernandes’s hat-trick helping to inspire such a resounding victory against Leeds. – Guardian

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