You could forgive Manchester United fans for getting excited about their team’s chances this season. The confirmation of Jadon Sancho’s move from Borussia Dortmund to Old Trafford was soon followed by news that personal terms had been agreed with Real Madrid defender Raphaël Varane, with the French international now looking all but certain to complete a move to the club.
The big question mark ahead of the 2021-22 season was whether or not Manchester United had the firepower to overthrow Manchester City. As much as last year’s second-place finish was an improvement for Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side, there was still a sense that they were streets behind Pep Guardiola’s rampant City, and so this summer has been an exercise in trying to fill the gaps in the team.
For a team that conceded 44 goals last season, the arrival of Varane brings hope that United can be more defensively assured this campaign. The Frenchman brings a wealth of experience from the Spanish giants, where he won a number of major trophies, including three consecutive Champions Leagues, and established himself as one of the best defenders in the world. It’s that kind of world-class mentality that Solskjær need to foster within his team.
Of course, there are still question marks surrounding Solskjær’s credentials as manager. It’s one thing bringing in a number of big-name signings, but if the coach in charge is not able to get the best out them, issues will arise. There have been gradual improvements during the Norwegian’s tenure, and if United had managed to get their hands on the Europa League trophy last season, things would have looked a lot rosier heading into the new campaign.
But with the addition of Varane, United have a reason to be optimistic. There are likely to be a number of teams vying to upset the betting exchange and challenge City for the title this season — you’d expect Liverpool and Chelsea to improve on last season’s respective showings — and a player of Varane’s class can make the difference when it comes to the biggest matches. We saw how Liverpool struggled last season with a makeshift defence for so much of the campaign. If Varane can build a reliable partnership with Harry Maguire, that could form the basis of a much more solid Old Trafford outfit.
The 28-year-old will bring a real sense of composure to United’s backline, something they have perhaps lacked in previous campaigns. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles his introduction to the rough and tumble of the Premier League, but given Real Madrid’s success in the Champions League and with Varane’s composure at the heart of defence, you wouldn’t expect him to be too fazed.
Star signings like Varane excite the supporters as well. There will be a lot of optimism among United fans that this could be the season where they win the Premier League for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013. The club have been in the doldrums for much of the intervening years, and while Solskjær may not have much of a reputation as a top-level coach, he has certainly instilled a sense of spirit and togetherness among the squad, and supporters feed off that.
Solskjær’s group of players will undoubtedly still be feeling some pangs of remorse over their heart-breaking penalty shootout defeat to Villareal in the Europa League final, but there’s no better tonic for the footballing blues than the addition of world-class talent. Varane arrives with a formidable reputation, a sizeable wage packet, and a clear brief: to help Manchester United get back where they belong.
