Raphael Varane has identified one of the key differences between the Premier League and La Liga.
After a decade in Spain with Real Madrid — during which time he won countless trophies including four Champions League titles — Varane decided to make the switch to English football 13 months ago.
His £41million move to Manchester United came amid great fanfare and Varane would probably admit that his first season at Old Trafford did not go entirely according to plan. But this term has seen him strike up a new partnership at centre-back with Lisandro Martinez — and that has coincided with a four-game winning streak.
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Reflecting on the changes that he has experienced since arriving in England, Varane told TCL Global : "I think in La Liga teams prepare more the attacks; it's very technical.
"In England it is more fast, more intense. There are more counter-attacks so it's a different (kind of) football. I like both styles so it's a different experience for me now."
United boss Erik ten Hag spoke recently about how the club had adapted Varane's training regime to turn him into an "immense" centre-half. And so far, it appears to be doing the trick.
Ten Hag said: "Varane’s stature is immense and in pre-season we took a decision to build him physically, so that he had a bit of a slow start. We’re happy we built him in that way and you see when the team needed him, he was there. His profile, his stature and what he has won already in the past shows he can really contribute to his team.”
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