Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has made a vow after his side were eliminated from the Champions League Round of 16 by Atletico Madrid.
Ralf Rangnick ’s side were dumped out of Europe's elite competition thanks to Renan Lodi's 42ndminute header, as Diego Simeone ’s men ensured safe passage to the quarter-finals thanks to a typically resolute display. The Red Devils enjoyed a strong start but Atletico's opener punctured their spirit, with the second half a story of United huffing and puffing to no avail.
It was a tough night for United with the result ending their hopes of silverware this campaign – having already been eliminated from every domestic trophy and being well off the pace in the Premier League. Indeed, the club’s sole remaining objective is to secure a top four finish in the league.
That means that it will be a trophyless debut season at Old Trafford for Varane, who joined the club from Real Madrid last summer for £34million plus add-ons. The Frenchman had won four Champions League titles in the Spanish capital but was unable to help his new team progress past the Round of 16 stage against his old rivals Atletico.
Varane has now taken to social media to clarify his dressing room vow after the match, which was another painful evening for United. He insisted that there would be no pointing of fingers or blaming teammates from the Old Trafford dressing room.
The defender posted: “We will not point fingers, fight each other or complain. We can reflect on the season when the battle is finished. The atmosphere last night was incredible, we will fight for everything for this club until the last minute of the season. Failure is a foundation of victory. Proud to defend Manchester United.”
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Meanwhile, Varane’s central defensive partner and club captain Harry Maguire explained on beIn Sports after the match: "The style in Europe… it’s not for me to comment on but every time you touch someone it’s a foul. Anthony [Elanga] has a header early on, he heads it over, the keeper [Jan Oblak] clatters him and he gets a foul for it.
"It’s a different style but maybe we need to learn and grow from it. We got too frustrated and started losing our shape and the momentum. It’s something we need to learn from.
He went on to add: "The decisions didn’t go our way tonight but we had long enough to get back in the game and get an equaliser and we didn’t do it. We’re all disappointed. It’s a sad dressing room right now. The lads are gutted. We thought we did enough to get something from the game but ultimately we’re out of the Champions League and the lads are gutted."
United now have a two-and-a-half week break until their next fixture due to the upcoming international break. Ragnick’s side will return to Premier League action on 2 April with a home clash against Leicester City.
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