World Cup and four-time Champions League winner Varane speaks openly about the highs and lows of playing for Madrid and United

In an interview with The Athletic journalist Charlotte Harpur, former RC Lens, Real Madrid, and Manchester United defender Raphaël Varane (31) spoke about his time with the Red Devils, and

Raphaël Varane has said he was "surprised" by the Manchester United's hierachy's decision to offer Erik ten Hag a new contract last summer as his bond with the squad was deeply fractured by that point.

At the time, Ten Hag insisted he had no problem with the World Cup winner and said his absence was down to "tactical reasons" but now, in a fascinating interview with The Athletic, the defender has given his take on being dropped. "We had a robust discussion. We told each other some truths, but then I didn’t play for almost two months," he said.

The build-up to United’s 2-1 FA Cup victory over Manchester City in May was dominated by uncertainty over Ten Hag’s future.

Varane on his Manchester United Journey and Adapting to the Premier League Raphaël Varane, the esteemed French centre-back, has been a pivotal figure in Manchester United’s defence since his