Manchester United news: It is not enough for us, says Raphael Varane on Southampton draw

Centre-back Raphael Varane has been left “disappointed” with Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against Southampton at Old Trafford on Saturday. United continued their recent trend of playing well in the first half but dropped the intensity in the second half to throw away their hard-earned lead. Ralf Rangnick’s side took the lead through Jadon Sancho’s 21st-minute goal and were in front at the halfway point. However, Che Adams’ equaliser at the start of the second half was enough for the visitors to ensure a share of the spoils. United have no time to dwell, with the team quickly returning to Premier League action again on Tuesday at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.

”We are disappointed about the result, it is not enough for us but we have to keep pushing,’’ the France international told BT Sport after the match. ”I think in the last three or four games, we have played much better and the result is not enough for us. I think we have to fight to be focused on the next game and, hopefully, get the right result.”

Manchester United could have been well ahead at the halfway stage, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sancho having good goal scoring opportunities. However, United were made to pay for the misses, with the team conceding at the start of the second half, as happened at Burnley on Tuesday.

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It was not good enough: Raphael Varane

”I don’t know, this is the second time and, at the beginning of the second half, it was not good enough. ‘We conceded a goal but it is true we had good opportunities in the first half. ‘We deserved to score more goals and, at the end of the game, it was very open with a lot of occasions in both halves. We are disappointed today,” says Raphael Varane.

Meanwhile, interim manager Ralf Rangnick has urged his team to maintain the top level for more than one half. At the same time, he also praised Southampton for the way they played on Saturday. “Well, on the one hand, we also have to respect the other team. Southampton played well, they played with the same intensity and tactical approach that they did against Tottenham, so this is not an easy team to play against,” he added. 

“But yes, again, we lost a little bit of composure, we made some wrong decisions, sometimes under pressure, sometimes not under pressure. This is where we have to get better, whenever we prepare the team for the next possible game. As I said in the last four or five games, we started extremely well, we had an excellent half-hour again today but, in the end, it’s about playing that way for more than just one half.”