Varane and Pogba have been regulars for their national side, France, and will now start working together at the club level as well.
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Manchester United’s new signing Raphael Varane has expressed his excitement at the prospect of playing with his national teammate Paul Pogba. Varane and Pogba have been regulars for their national side, France, and will now start working together at the club level as well. They both were part of the French team that won the World Cup in 2018. “I think Paul is very positive and he has a very good energy; he motivates players in the dressing room and on the pitch with his energy. We are different but we are very complementary, and it’s important in the team to have different types of leaders and characters,” Varane was quoted as saying by the club’s website.
The former Real Madrid defender is keen to work with the midfielder, who produced a scintillating display on Saturday. Varane, who was unveiled as a Manchester United player in front of the Old Trafford faithful on Saturday, saw Pogba register four assists against Leeds United. When asked how excited he is to play with the midfielder in the Premier League, Varane replied, “I’m very happy. I’ve known him for a very long time, we started together with the French national team and he’s a great player. I think he’s ambitious and me too, so we are ready to work hard and to do all we can to win trophies.”
Expressing his happiness to join the Premier League giants, Raphael Varane explains the reason behind the move. “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,” he added. “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. 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.”
When asked whether he has spoken to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Frenchman replied, “Yes, of course. 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. 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.”
Raphael Varane has recalled the experience of winning the World Cup with France in 2018. “Honestly, just after the World Cup you have a moment to think ‘wow’! And after that, then you think what is the next step. I think when you win people are expecting you to show your level and that you are a winner and there are a lot of expectations after that. The motivation is to demonstrate that you are a winner and that you are still a winner and you want to be a winner,” he added.
Speaking about United’s greats of the past, Varane said, “Of course, Vidic and Ferdinand were legends. I remember players like Cristiano, Giggs and Beckham also. They are legends and I’m very proud to be part of this family.”
