Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson is not really convinced by Manchester United’s blockbuster summer signing Raphael Varane.
Speaking to LFC TV, as relayed by the Mirror, former Liverpool defender and club legend Mark Lawrenson has questioned Manchester United’s summer signing, Raphael Varane.
Manchester United, after having chased Varane for a number of years, finally got their man this summer, as the 28-year-old Frenchman made his way from Real Madrid after having entered the final year of his contract at the Spanish capital club.
One of the most successful modern-day defenders, Varane has won every trophy he has contested for with Real Madrid and was also an integral part of the French team that lifted the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Given everything he has accomplished, the defender’s signing by Manchester United has been hailed as a coup across many quarters. However, Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson is not among the fans of the move, as he appeared to question if the France international was indeed a top signing for the Red Devils.
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“I’m not sure he is [a fantastic signing]. Have you seen how many games he’s played in the last five seasons at Real Madrid?” Lawrenson said, seemingly pointing at Varane’s fitness issues.
However, it must be noted that the 28-year-old has never missed more than seven league games in a season during his time in Spain, while his extended absence during the last season was due to him contracting coronavirus and not because of an injury.
If anything, Varane had been a constant fixture at the back for Real Madrid alongside former captain Sergio Ramos, who also departed the club this summer to join Paris Saint-Germain. At 28, Varane is in the peak years of his career and has established himself as one of the most accomplished defenders in the game.
It remains to be seen as to how he fares at Manchester United. The Frenchman, who was unveiled in front of a packed Old Trafford on Saturday prior to United’s Premier League opener against Leeds, could be in line to feature when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men take on Southampton next weekend.
As can be discerned, Mark Lawrenson sounds like sour grapes, commenting on Varane’s transfer to Manchester United. How can he deride his quality as he has hardly kicked a ball for United.