Raphael Varane didn’t have the debut season he dreamed of when he arrived at Old Trafford.
The past nine months have been littered with injuries and setbacks which led to him playing just 29 games. And now the defender is set for more time on the physio table after suffering another hamstring injury while on international duty with France.
Like nearly all Manchester United players, Varane will want to forget last term as quickly as possible. He will be looking forward to starting afresh under Erik ten Hag.
READ MORE: Manchester United defender Raphael Varane replaced by Liverpool FC star in France squad after injury
When he returns to United for pre-season, he will be preparing to work under his fourth manager - with Ralf Rangnick and Michael Carrick only being temporary appointments - since his Old Trafford arrival last August. Back then, he made it clear what swayed his decision to link up with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“It was very important for me to know exactly about the philosophy and what the challenges and objectives are, and the ambitions – that was very important for me,” he said in his first club interview.
“I feel a real determination and an ambition to work very hard and to try to do everything that is possible to win trophies. That motivates me.”
In truth, there seemed to be no direction or plan under Solskjaer. The team looked lost and disjointed, which only worsened when Rangnick replaced the Norwegian.
Rangnick looked out of his depth at times and his lack of managerial experience over the past decade began to show - Ten Hag should be a totally different character to work under. This is why Varane will feel rejuvenated under the Dutchman.
The 52-year-old had a distinct methodology at Ajax and he admitted in his first press conference that he will be adopting a similar style. He’s had many years to fine-tune his plans and knows exactly who needs to do what, and when.
Varane will thrive with this blueprint, as he did under Zinedine Zidane, Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho who all instilled uncompromising game plans while at Real Madrid. An injury-reduced season for the Frenchman will help in boosting United back into top-four contention.
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