Why Real Madrid pulled a masterstroke by selling Varane to Man Utd

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 27 Dec 2021 22:01 GMT
• 4 min read

When Manchester United signed Raphael Varane from Real Madrid for £34 million in the summer, the deal was seen as a bargain, with the Old Trafford side getting a World Cup and multiple Champions League winner for far less than Arsenal signed Benjamin White for.

However, five months later, and the same isn't quite being said.

It's worth noting that Varane has suffered with injury problems since moving to England, and the draw with Newcastle United was just his sixth Premier League appearance of the season, but so far he hasn't impressed.

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As a whole, the Man Utd defensive unit hasn't been up to scratch, with Harry Maguire also struggling, for example, so it hasn't been the ideal structure to slot into, but the transition to life in the Premier League hasn't gone smoothly for the Frenchman.

He was poor in the draw to Everton, and against Newcastle he was flustered, and never looked comfortable. He lost the ball for Allan Saint-Maximin's opener, and needlessly gave the ball away on too many occasions.

Now, one game doesn't define a player, but a performance like this has been coming for Varane. He's still a quality defender, and he's been exceptional over the past decade, but he hasn't quite looked his usual self in Manchester.

It's not just been for Man Utd either, though. During his final 18 months at Real Madrid, he frequently looked shaky, most notably in the Champions League, and when Sergio Ramos was absent. Ramos' injury troubles plagued the end of his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, but Varane also felt the affects.

The Frenchman's performances always seemed to drop when Ramos wasn't next to him, with European games against Manchester City and Chelsea sticking out in particular.

Now at Man Utd, with Maguire alongside him, he hasn't looked particularly comfortable.

Poor form at Man Utd

Varane was often a composed figure in Spain, but since arriving at Old Trafford, that can't be said.

Of course, it's still early days, and he has been injured, but the indications suggest he may be past his best. At 28, Varane still has plenty of years left in him, but he may already be declining. Having played regular first-team football since the age of 18, Varane may well find that he's played too much, too soon, and may struggle to recover.

Still a vital player for France, his talent is obvious, but confidence and form isn't there.

The drop-off hasn't been major, and isn't something to massively worry about yet, but Varane hasn't been the same player since leaving Real Madrid; he seems to be missing the imperious Ramos next to him.

Militao has been exceptional

Rather than sign a replacement for Varane, Real Madrid instead decided to simply promote Eder Militao into a starring role.

The Brazilian had been on the fringes since joining from Porto, and his early form at the club wasn't anything to write home about.

But, his form at the end of last season gave Los Blancos confidence that he was ready to replace Varane. With David Alaba coming in for Ramos, it was an entirely new centre-half partnership for the club, but it hasn't looked like it.

While Alaba has been a solid signing, it's been Militao who's impressed the most. He's arguably been the best centre-back in La Liga this term, adding intelligence to his aggressive style of defending.

Real Madrid may not have conceded the fewest goals in the Spanish top flight this campaign, but they've had the best defensive unit, and Militao is a huge part of that.

If Varane had stayed, then Militao wouldn't have been given the opportunity he's been handed this season, and that would've been a huge shame.

Money used for Camavinga

While they didn't use the funds raised by Varane's sale to sign a new centre-back, Los Blancos instead decided to invest in Eduardo Camavinga.

Signed from Rennes, the Frenchman cost Real Madrid the same as Varane cost Man Utd, and he's a future superstar.

Aged just 19, Camavinga has the potential to be one of the best midfielders in the world, and Real Madrid struck at the perfect time.

Costing less than he would've a year prior, Camavinga joined the Spanish giants in the summer, and while he hasn't made himself an automatic starter yet, the early signs are promising, and Real Madrid have invested in their future.

By selling Varane, Real Madrid have been able to give Militao the minutes he deserves, and add one of the very best young talents to their squad, while the Frenchman hasn't hit the ground running at Man Utd.

So far, it's proven to be a masterclass of a decision by Los Blancos.