Manchester United have already signed two Raphael Varane alternatives
Man Utd: The first six fixtures of the new Premier League season
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Manchester United are confident that, when it comes to Raphael Varane, things will be different. Having missed out on the player twice before, they’re hopeful it’ll be third time lucky. So, with that the case, it’s time to look at the two alternatives the club have previously signed as they wait for the real thing to touch down.
Phil Jones in 2011
The summer transfer window of 2011 saw United spend as they looked to retain their Premier League title.
David De Gea touched down from Atletico Madrid, moving as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar.
Ashley Young arrived from Aston Villa, with the England international previously looking set for a move to Arsenal.
And United also signed Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers.
Jones, however, wasn’t their original target. Instead, Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to bring Varane to Old Trafford.
He’d seen the France international shine for Lens, convincing the Scot he’d be the ideal long-term replacement for Rio Ferdinand – who was entering the twilight years of his career at the time.
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Except, Real Madrid had other ideas. And Varane ended up moving to the Bernabeu instead, leading United into signing Jones.
Writing in his autobiography, Ferguson admitted he’d hoped to bring the centre-back to Old Trafford – and wasn’t happy when it didn’t happen.
“I hurtled down on the train from Euston to Lille to sign the young French defender Raphael Varane,” he said.
“David Gill was getting into the finer points of the contract with Lens when Zinedine Zidane got wind of this and somehow scooped him up for Real Madrid from under our noses.”
Jones has been plagued by injuries over the past decade and United will listen to offers for the England international.
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Eric Bailly in 2016
In 2016, United won the FA Cup under Louis van Gaal.
But that wasn’t enough to satisfy the club’s hierarchy, with the Glazers then sacking the Dutchman in the aftermath.
Then, Jose Mourinho took charge. A big manager, at a big club. Who wanted big signings.
He set his sights on signing Varane, who he’d previously managed at Real Madrid. However, just like Ferguson, he was then forced into going after an alternative.
It was Eric Bailly who joined this time, touching down from Villarreal.
And Varane later admitted he found interest from United and Mourinho flattering, admitting he found it tough to turn his old manager down.
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“Of course it’s flattering,” he said. “Manchester United are a very big club.
“But from the moment when Madrid and I are in sync on my project, there’s no questions to ask yourself.
“I have always said I feel good in Madrid.
“It’s not easy to say ‘No’ to Jose Mourinho, but you have to weigh up the pros and the cons. We’re men, we have decisions to make and that’s how it is.”
Bailly signed a new contract this summer but could still be sold, especially if Varane does touch down.
Manchester United: The first five fixtures of the 2021/2022 campaign
August 14 – Leeds United – Old Trafford
August 22 – Southampton – St Mary’s Stadium
August 29 – Wolves – Molineux
September 11 – Newcastle United – Old Trafford
September 18 – West Ham United – London Stadium.
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