Raphael Varane’s exit from Manchester United has been confirmed. The Frenchman’s spell began with such optimism.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired as Manchester United manager in 2013. There have not been an overwhelming number of truly happy, optimistic moments.
The opening three game run under Jose Mourinho in 2016 was one such time of optimism. As was the Europa League win at the end of that season. The good times didn’t last.
Just like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s side’s famous win in Paris in 2019. It felt like anything was possible. It wasn’t.
Another day of high hopes was Cristiano Ronaldo‘s magical return in September 2021, a 4-0 win against Newcastle. The season sadly failed to ignite thereafter.
But another truly special moment of optimism came just weeks earlier, in August 2021, when Manchester United took on Leeds.
Raphael Varane unveiling
August 2021, Manchester United’s opening game of the season against Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds. It was a special day in the sunshine at Old Trafford.
The tone was set for a memorable occasion before kick-off, when Raphael Varane was unveiled to the crowd wearing the sharpest of suits.
United had kept fans waiting for an official announcement, this time ditching the #Pogback hashtags or the piano playing entrances, and went old school.
Varane was presented on the pitch to a raucous ovation, and Manchester United delivered a performance to match.
United won the game 5-1, with Bruno Fernandes bagging a hat-trick, and Mason Greenwood scoring a sensational breakaway goal, while Fred even got on the scoresheet.
Paul Pogba had one of his finest games for the club, providing four assists. And this was all without Varane.
United handed Jadon Sancho a debut from the bench late on, and it felt like anything was possible that day. The team just clicked, with players hitting peak form on day one, with several looking like they might live up to their huge potential.
Varane’s unveiling caught Cristiano Ronaldo’s attention, who sent him a congratulatory message.
Little did anybody know, Ronaldo would be joining him weeks later, and enjoying a special moment of his own.
The Frenchman’s arrival is still regarded as one of United’s best transfer unveiling in recent memory. It will take some topping.
Many will debate whether Ronaldo’s arrival stifled that exciting emerging team, and perhaps it did. But this was one of those days where everything just went right.
Months later, Solskjaer was sacked, Greenwood was facing serious allegations which were later dropped, Pogba’s is long gone and facing a performance-enhancing drugs ban, and Sancho is out on loan.
Raphael Varane now set to leave
Raphael Varane’s unveiling is now a distant memory, amid the announcement he will leave the club.
The Frenchman did not kick a ball that day, but did go on to have one truly memorable day of his own when Manchester United won the Carabao Cup in February 2023.
Like all the other big moments of the post-Fergie era, that was a piece of silverware United have been unable to build from.
But perhaps there is one special moment left. Manchester United play City in theFA Cup final at Wembley later this month, looking to rescue a wretched season.
Varane is fighting to be fit. Whether he plays or not, if Manchester United can win, it would be an incredible way to wave goodbye, to tie into his fondly remembered introduction.
Whether a cup win over City leads to sustained success or not, it doesn’t matter. Manchester United need another special moment, desperately.