Transfer Centre

Manchester United's Raphael Varane opens door to Real Madrid return

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 25 March 2023

Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane reveals that he would be open to retiring at Real Madrid, but he does not expect a return to the Bernabeu to materialise.

Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane has revealed that he would be open to retiring at Real Madrid, although he admits that the chances of a Bernabeu reunion are unlikely.

The World Cup-winning Frenchman brought an end to 10 trophy-laden years at the Bernabeu in 2021, making the switch to Old Trafford for a €40m (£35.3m) fee.

Despite the Red Devils' struggles under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last season, Varane immediately established himself as an integral member of the rearguard, and he has formed an effective partnership with Lisandro Martinez in the current campaign.

Varane - who turns 30 next month - is under contract at Old Trafford until the end of the 2024-25 season, and there is nothing to suggest that he will be on the move again anytime soon.

However, the centre-back recently announced his retirement from the France national team at the age of 29, and he was grilled on where he might hang up his boots at club level by GQ Magazine.

Raphael Varane in action for France on December 14, 2022 © Reuters

During the interview, Varane listed Real Madrid, Man United or boyhood club Lens as his three possible retirement destinations, but he is not holding out hope of a return to the Spanish capital.

When asked if he could envision himself ending his career at Old Trafford, Varane replied: "It is a serious option. I will finish my career either in Madrid, or in Manchester, or in Lens.

"I am sure that I will not make another club. But Madrid, it seems complicated to me, we don't usually come back to it. The most likely today is that I finish Manchester or Lens.

"The closer you get to 30, the more you think about it. Since I was seven years old I have been playing football so inevitably there is a little apprehension but no fear. Like every major decision in life, it requires careful thought and it will be done step by step."

While on the books at the Bernabeu, Varane formed a part of four Champions League-winning teams, as well as clinching three La Liga titles and four Club World Cup crowns.

Manchester United's Raphael Varane in action on September 11, 2021 © Reuters

The defender racked up 17 goals and seven assists in 360 appearances before making the move to Old Trafford, where he has one goal and one assist to show from 56 games in all tournaments.

Prior to making a name for himself with Real Madrid, Varane came through the youth system at Lens, representing Les Sang et Or for nine years between 2002 and 2011 and scoring two goals in 24 appearances.

Since earning promotion back to Ligue 1 in 2020, Lens have established themselves as consistent European challengers, and they currently sit in third place in the top-flight table thanks to a remarkable season under Franck Haise.

While Varane's short-term future seemingly lies in Manchester, the Red Devils could sanction several other defensive exits this summer, with Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe on the chopping block.

Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof's futures are also being called into question amid their lack of game time, and the latter has confirmed that he will consider his next career move at the end of the season.