Raphael Varane confirms summer Manchester United exit with emotional farewell video
Manchester United have confirmed that Raphael Varane will leave the club this summer after three years.
The experienced French centre-back is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the current season and United recently decided against triggering their option for an automatic 12-month extension that would have kept him in Manchester until summer 2025.
Confirmation of Varane’s expected summer exit has now arrived first from the player himself via an emotional farewell video posted to his Instagram account, with the Red Devils then following up with an official statement.
“To you guys, supporters of Manchester United, it’s been an amazing few years to play for this special club and wearing that shirt,” Varane said.
“The first time I went to Old Trafford as a Man United player, it was insane. The atmosphere was amazing. I fell in love with the club, with the fans.
“You have to play for Man United to understand what that represents. For my kids, it’s home here. It’s going to be a special place for me, for life.
“When the fans go to Wembley, it’s something they remember for life. To share that moment with them was absolutely amazing. Despite the fact we had a difficult season, I’m very positive for the future.
“The new owners are coming with a clear plan and a great strategy. I’ll see you at Old Trafford to say goodbye for the last game at home this season. It’s going to be a very emotional day for me, for sure.”
Standard Sport reported earlier on Tuesday that the 31-year-old was one of several United players being targeted for a potential summer switch to Saudi Arabia, along with the likes of captain Bruno Fernandes and fellow midfielder Casemiro.
“Raphael Varane has confirmed he will leave Manchester United in the summer, upon the expiry of his contract, following three seasons at Old Trafford,” United said.
“Everybody at United thanks Rapha for his service and wishes him well for the future.”
Long-term target Varane arrived at United from Real Madrid in a £42million deal in the summer of 2021, memorably unveiled on the pitch before a Premier League fixture against rivals Leeds.
He arrived at Old Trafford amid much fanfare, having won a glut of major silverware during his decade-long stint at the Bernabeu, having started his career at Lens, and been part of the French teams that reached back-to-back World Cup finals in 2018 and 2022 - winning the first against Croatia in Moscow.
He has made 93 appearances for United across all competitions since, scoring twice, winning the Carabao Cup under Erik ten Hag at Wembley last season and also reaching consecutive FA Cup finals.
However, Varane has frequently struggled with injury during his time in Manchester and has started only 16 of crisis-stricken United’s 36 Premier League matches so far this term.
It has been an injury-plagued campaign for the Frenchman, who has not played since being substituted at half-time in back-to-back games against Brentford and Chelsea in early April.
Varane was expected to miss a number of weeks with a muscle issue suffered at Stamford Bridge, with no recent updates on his fitness as United end a dismal top-flight season with games against Newcastle and Brighton this week ahead of the FA Cup final against rivals Manchester City at Wembley on May 25.
He also made headlines earlier this year when revealing that he had “damaged his body” by continually heading the ball as he warned of the significant dangers of concussion.
