Varane reveals reasons for leaving Real Madrid for Man United

In his first official interview since joining Manchester United, Raphael Varane expressed his excitement to start this new stage of his career following his exit from Real Madrid this summer, and explained the reasons why he felt it was “a good moment” to make the switch to Old Trafford.

Varane was finally confirmed as the Red Devils’ latest signing last week, with the French defender arriving at Old Trafford after United agreed a £34 million ($47m) deal with Real Madrid. Following his unveiling at a packed Old Trafford before the game against Leeds on Saturday, the club’s media has published its first interview with the 28-year-old central defender on United’s official website.

“I’m very happy and very excited to start this new journey for me. It was a very good adventure with my old club, but now it’s a new start for me and I’m very happy to be here,” said Varane, who has signed a four-year deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2025.

Varane: United move “a new challenge and new motivation”

The Frenchman was understood to have been close to joining United back in 2011, before eventually opting for Real Madrid. But a move to Manchester and the Premier League has always been an ambition for the former Madrid player, who revealed details of an Alex Ferguson visit to his home back in 2011, when he was being heavily linked with the Red Devils.

“There had been a lot of rumours and a lot of people speaking about me and Manchester United since 2011, when Sir Alex Ferguson came to my mother’s house. When it was real, that was when I spoke with my club, and I felt it was a real opportunity to play in the Premier League for Manchester United,” Varane responded when asked at what point he realized a move to Old Trafford was going to happen for him.

“I think it was a good moment because of a lot of things, but I think the most important one is it’s a new challenge and it’s a big motivation to start in a new league in a big club like Manchester United,” he added.

“This opportunity was amazing for me, so I chose this change for me and my family. They have come with me. You feel when things are a good moment and this was the right moment.”

Varane’s conversation with Solskjaer

Regarding his new coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the French international assured that he had already spoken with the Norwegian to gain more insight into the club’s plans and goals for the coming seasons.

“It was very important for me to know exactly about the philosophy and what the challenges and objectives are, and the ambitions – that was very important for me,” he said. “And I feel a real determination and an ambition to work very hard and to try to do everything that is possible to win trophies. That motivates me.”

Having been in the stands to watch his new side trash Leeds 5-1 in their opening fixture last weekend, Varane could now make his hotly anticipated Manchester United debut against Southampton this Sunday at Saint Mary's Stadium.