Raphael Varane | Signed for United!

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sullydnl

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If Varane wants to wait until the end of July then clearly we should look to move on and see if Christian Romero is available from Atalanta. I'd prefer Varane but we can't wait until right before the season begins to bring in a player that is expected to be a starting XI talent.
Haven't seen anything of Romero, what's he like?

I ask because his stats are very poor in terms of what he does on the ball and don't suggest he's particularly outstanding in the air either, so it's hard to gauge from that what his strengths are.
 

PSV

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Is he waiting for something before deciding? It seems like he knows what United offer, and waiting if Madrid is willing to match.
It's almost as though he's seen someone at Madrid do this before. :lol:
 

bond19821982

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Haven't seen anything of Romero, what's he like?

I ask because his stats are very poor in terms of what he does on the ball and don't suggest he's particularly outstanding in the air either, so it's hard to gauge from that what his strengths are.
He is playing on Saturday against Colombia. You can watch for yourself.

One of the best young tough defenders. Very aggressive in air (vidic or VVD like), okay on ball. Decent pace as well.
 

CG1010

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Apparently not a reliable source. All tier-1 journalists on United, Madrid and player side are agreeing two things, United have made an offer and that it would take weeks to get clarity on this. United's journalists have emlhasised the gap in fee and that they are also looking at how much they can recoup from player sales while others have also said that Varane hasn't decided yet. So don't think this will move very fast or is a done deal at all.
 

WPMUFC

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Apparently not a reliable source. All tier-1 journalists on United, Madrid and player side are agreeing two things, United have made an offer and that it would take weeks to get clarity on this. United's journalists have emlhasised the gap in fee and that they are also looking at how much they can recoup from player sales while others have also said that Varane hasn't decided yet. So don't think this will move very fast or is a done deal at all.
Tier 3, works for Real Madrid TV. Also, Ducker has said Sancho and Varane are the priorities with any targets after that relying on sales or pogba going.
 

mazhar13

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Haven't seen anything of Romero, what's he like?

I ask because his stats are very poor in terms of what he does on the ball and don't suggest he's particularly outstanding in the air either, so it's hard to gauge from that what his strengths are.
Here's a description that I posted in the Romero thread:
I don't think Juventus expected him to step up the way they did. At Genoa, he had a more limited defensive role and was more focused on clearing balls out of the box as well as stopping shots on goal. At Atalanta, though, he's done way more than just those two things and really showed what he's capable of.

I posted these in the Transfer Tweets thread, but I think it's appropriate for me to post this here:
Other than what's already been mentioned, I can say that he's probably been the best defender in Serie A this season. He was showing potential last season with Genoa, but this season, he's showing what he's all about with Atalanta. I'm surprised that he's not getting more coverage because I can't think of another defender who's been as good as him this season.

He's been the leader of the Atalanta's back 3 at the age of 23. Despite playing beside two not so good defenders, he's been able to hold his own against the various attacking threats that he's had to face. He reads the game very well, puts in strong yet well-timed tackles frequently, and is a very difficult player to get past. His positioning's probably the best out of all defenders in the Serie A, and that's among the likes of Koulibaly, Romagnoli, de Ligt, Chiellini, de Vrij, etc. With someone of his ilk, one would think that he's probably not as physically gifted as some of the other defenders, but that's not the case here. He may not be very tall (1.85m), but he's quick and surprisingly strong, which explains why he's so tough to get past.

His only weakness, and this is a slight one, is that he occasionally tends to get drawn towards the ball, but that only happens when he's dealing with multiple threats by himself. Instead of containing all of the other threats, he sometimes chooses to go in to win the ball out of his faith in his recovery powers and quickness. Keep in mind that he does play in a back 3 in Serie A, and defenders there tend to trust their teammates more than defenders in other leagues. Currently, as Atalanta play a back 4 against Benevento (who are capable of scoring multiple goals), Romero's holding his own, so it's not like he's only good in a back 3 (he also played in a back 4 with Genoa on several occasions). \
His aerial prowess doesn't stick out, but it's not a weakness. He mostly uses his good positioning and sense of awareness for his aerial battles to make up for his lack of size.

EDIT: Overall, I rate him very, very highly, and I'd be ecstatic if United were to actually sign him up.
At Genoa, he was dealing with lots of crosses into the box and had to contend in aerial battles way more than he has with Atalanta.
 

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Haven't seen anything of Romero, what's he like?

I ask because his stats are very poor in terms of what he does on the ball and don't suggest he's particularly outstanding in the air either, so it's hard to gauge from that what his strengths are.
Let's put it this way, he was voted Serie A Defender of the Year 2021. That should tell you what kind of player this kid is for Atalanta.
 

Le Red

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This guy probably got another 10 years in the top level. Do it. Now.
 

Isotope

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It's almost as though he's seen someone at Madrid do this before. :lol:
Yeh. Really see no reason, other than money (which is a good reason for any pro), of why he wants to leave Madrid to United. But strange things happen.
 
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lysglimt

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So basically Varane either wants his future resolved asap or in 3 weeks after speaking to Ancelotti :)
 

MUFC OK

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Think it will move quickly, I reckon 2 weeks max. We’ve set out our stall and Madrid will want an answer (I hope).
 

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Fab suggests PSG is impossible, that varane "wants to try something new", he's changed his agency to CAA and unlikely to seek renewal.
 

WPMUFC

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United contact Real Madrid about Varane
Solskjaer is now targeting a central defender as the next part of his recruitment before the new season.

BBC Sport understands contact has been made with Real Madrid about France World Cup-winning defender Raphael Varane.

The 28-year-old's contract expires next summer and there are doubts over whether he will be offered an extension that would meet his demands.

It is thought Real may be willing to let the player leave the Bernabeu for around £50m.
 

sullydnl

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He is playing on Saturday against Colombia. You can watch for yourself.

One of the best young tough defenders. Very aggressive in air (vidic or VVD like), okay on ball. Decent pace as well.
Here's a description that I posted in the Romero thread:
Let's put it this way, he was voted Serie A Defender of the Year 2021. That should tell you what kind of player this kid is for Atalanta.
Thanks all.

He sounds like an excellent defender but what's he like on the ball? The stats would suggest he's worse than Smalling in that regard, which if accurate should make him a no-go for us. But I'm wondering if playing in a back three might be exaggerating those stats.
 

krentz

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I dont believe in the story that Varane would like to wait 3 weeks and meet Ancelotti before deciding for the next step of his career.
(1) Judging from reports he's had enough of Madrid and want a new challenge,
(2) Madrid only offered him new contract with salary cut,
(3) Madrid are stacked with CBs after Alaba,
(4) Ancelotti's pull is not as big as he used to be in the past.

Hence why i think we'll find out about Varane in few days. Now whether he wants to join us i dont know but with PSG signing Ramos, our only competitor for his signature would be Chelsea, expect news from Chelsea's camp in near future.

Let's put it this way, he was voted Serie A Defender of the Year 2021. That should tell you what kind of player this kid is for Atalanta.
Romero is my personal pick but i kinda understand why Ole decided to pursue Varane instead as Romero is still bit inexperienced, last season was his trully first breakthrough season who knew whether he can keep his performance or he's just flash in the pan like Rojo.
ooh @bosskeano congrats for your promotion :D
 

Le Red

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Yeh. Really see no reason, other than money (which is a good reason for any pro), of why he wants to leave Madrid to United. But strange things happen.
New challenge? Better contract? Real Madrid is a shadow of its recent self? There are reasons. Doesn't mean they will prevail.
 

tenpoless

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Fab suggests PSG is impossible, that varane "wants to try something new", he's changed his agency to CAA and unlikely to seek renewal.
If true then he will be ours if RM wants to let go. Too many ifs I know.
Also changed his agent to CIA. Feck me he's about to do some serious business.
 

RedRonaldo

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I know not the league.. but this shit show will take some forgetting.
Lindelof would be crucified if he did one of those...
It’s just one single incident, Maguire’s one would look worst last season, just saying.
 

mazhar13

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He sounds like an excellent defender but what's he like on the ball? The stats would suggest he's worse than Smalling in that regard, which if accurate should make him a no-go for us. But I'm wondering if playing in a back three might be exaggerating those stats.
He's the most conservative defender in Atalanta's back 3, so he doesn't get to express himself as much. In a back 4, he shows way more of his ability on the ball and looks much, much better.
 

prateik

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It’s just one single incident, Maguire’s one would look worst last season, just saying.
One incident? 2 massive feck ups leading to 2 goals in a single game.
He fecked up against Switzerland as well.

Ramos has been carrying him..

I'd stick with what we have and spend the money on a midfielder if he is the only option.
 

Knightmare7

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I know not the league.. but this shit show will take some forgetting.
Lindelof would be crucified if he did one of those...
I really don’t blame him for that. Keeper has no right to pin him in his own corner like that. He puts the ball on Varane’s back foot while Varane is moving back towards goal, not a single teammate moves to open up a pass for him, and then the one open teammate runs in front of the next to play defense instead. Shouldnt have been muscled off that ball, but that’s probably due to him thinking ‘Who the hell puts me in this position?”

Second goal is similar. We sure that’s not DDG in goal? No aggressiveness, poor distribution, doesn’t know when to come out and support his defender...
 

The United

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I really don’t blame him for that. Keeper has no right to pin him in his own corner like that. He puts the ball on Varane’s back foot while Varane is moving back towards goal, not a single teammate moves to open up a pass for him, and then the one open teammate runs in front of the next to play defense instead. Shouldnt have been muscled off that ball, but that’s probably due to him thinking ‘Who the hell puts me in this position?”

Second goal is similar. We sure that’s not DDG in goal? No aggressiveness, poor distribution, doesn’t know when to come out and support his defender...
So, that means we should not go for him because the two keepers we have will put him in that kind of situation a lot. What's the point then?
 

Bebestation

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One incident? 2 massive feck ups leading to 2 goals in a single game.
He fecked up against Switzerland as well.

Ramos has been carrying him..

I'd stick with what we have and spend the money on a midfielder if he is the only option.
Id happy to be wrong - but I always thought this too. Varane was only as good as the rest of the Madrid squad was - especially the defensive partners.

I really doubt if he played for a different team that we would be salivating over him as much.

Who know.
 

RedRonaldo

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One incident? 2 massive feck ups leading to 2 goals in a single game.
He fecked up against Switzerland as well.

Ramos has been carrying him..

I'd stick with what we have and spend the money on a midfielder if he is the only option.
Ok but I am just saying, Maguire looks even worse at times during his early season feck ups. That doesn’t make him bad defender.
 

jackal&hyde

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If this is true then it puts to rest the idea that he is error prone. That he made a couple of bad errors in big game in the CL is the exception rather the the rule (like Mbappe being crap at the EUROS and a number of times in the CL).
 

tenpoless

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Why would he stay at a struggling club that is in a huge transition that has just replaced its legend with a manager from Everton?

Their level is about equal as Tottenham and he needs to get out of Spanish Tottenham ASAP.
 

The Red Thinker

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One incident? 2 massive feck ups leading to 2 goals in a single game.
He fecked up against Switzerland as well.

Ramos has been carrying him..

I'd stick with what we have and spend the money on a midfielder if he is the only option.
Spoken like a guy who has barely seen Varane play consistently.

You blame him for the second Swiss goal? Shocker. How about giving some credit to what was a brilliant cross. Forget that, how about pointing the blame to that dipshit Deschamps for playing a back 3 for no bloody reason against the Swiss? Especially when both your LBs are out injured and instead you play RABIOT there??? No wonder the cross came from there. You conveniently miss pointing out the two massive moments when the Swiss could have made it 2-0 at the 50th min mark and in the 97th min for the whole game. Varane is a clutch defender.

You wanna find the odd bad game and yap on about how he isn't good enough? Who remembers Torres destroying Vidic? Rio's horror show vs Fulham in 2004? I can go on... Picking on one game to make your point is laughable.

"Ramos has been carrying him" :lol:
 
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