Raphael Varane hints at a possible return to Real Madrid but admits he may retire at Man United

Raphael Varane reveals the two clubs he would be willing to leave Manchester United for, as the France defender hints at a possible return to Real Madrid… but admits retirement at Old Trafford is a ‘likely outcome.’

Raphael Varane has revealed the two clubs for which he could leave Manchester United in the future.

After a turbulent first season in England, the French defender has been an integral figure in Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United side this season.

His Premier League appearances have contributed to the club’s position in the top four, and he played the entire 90-minute Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle.

The World Cup winner appears to have found a home at Old Trafford, but that could change after Varane admitted that he may retire elsewhere.

Varane told GQ Magazine, “I will finish my career either in Madrid, Manchester, or Lens.” ‘I will not join another club besides those.’ But Madrid appears to be complicated to me. Players rarely return to that location. Today, the most likely outcome is that I will finish [my club career] in Manchester or Lens.’

Varane signed a £42 million transfer from Real Madrid to Old Trafford in July 2021, after spending ten years at the Santiago Bernabeu.

In Spain, the French defender won LaLiga three times, the Champions League four times, and the Club World Cup four times.

Prior to that, he had progressed through the RC Lens academy and spent a year in their first-team before moving to Madrid in 2011.

He’s made 56 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions and admitted in the same interview that he’s been feeling the effects of recent fixture congestion.

‘Recent seasons have always concluded later and begun earlier. We didn’t have time to work out physically, and when we weren’t playing, we could only rest.

‘You can do it for a few seasons, but eventually you either crash, or you are unrecognizable [from the player you were] on the field for six months or a year, or you get injured. That’s what all great players go through, and it’s something I want to avoid.’

Varane made similar remarks last month when he announced the end of his international career, which France manager Didier Deschamps admitted disappointed him.