Raphael Varane has announced he will leave Manchester United at the end of the current season.
The news does not come as a surprise. Manchester United declined to extend Raphael Varane’s contract earlier this year.
While it was possible the club could have decided to negotiate a new deal on cheaper wages, both parties have elected to move on.
Raphael Varane has announced the exit on social media, with a simple message: “Thank you for everything,” accompanied by a video.
United responded: “Everybody at United thanks Rapha for his service and wishes him well for the future.”
Varane wage savings
Raphael Varane is one of Manchester United’s highest earners, and there was no appetite to keep him around on the same salary.
He is not the only Frenchman set to leave, teammate Anthony Martial‘s contract is also set to expire.
Manchester United will save more than £500,000 per week on just their wages alone when their deals officially expire on June 30.
Manchester United signed Raphael Varane in 2021 from Real Madrid. He has spent three seasons at the club, somewhat blighted by injuries.
Despite this, he has featured 30 times this season and has 93 appearances for the club in total.
The highlight was winning the Carabao Cup in February 2023. There is one more shot at silverware left.
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Raphael Varane fitness
It is very possible Raphael Varane has played his final game for Manchester United.
He suffered an injury during thedefeat at Chelsea early last month and has been out since.
There is a chance he could return for the FA Cup final as one final swansong, although he is not the only defender working his way back to fitness.
