Confirmed: Manchester United tried to tempt this Real Madrid star away from La Liga
Sep 6, 2016 at 9:37 AM
Real Madrid star Raphael Varane has revealed that he rejected an offer from former Real boss Jose Mourinho to pen a deal for Manchester United this summer.
The French international said that he was flattered by the offer but current Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane convinced him to stay put at the Spanish capital.
Meanwhile, the revelation from the 23-year old has started the rumour that Eric Bailly, who joined the Red Devils from Villarreal this summer, was not Mourinho’s first choice centre-half. The Portuguese tactician personally phoned Varane to convince him to join United only to see the French centre-back turning down a massive £165k-a-week deal.
It was Mourinho who brought Varane to the Bernabeu from Lens in 2011. Varane has developed into a world-class defender in the past few years.
He is currently in his native country on international duty and spoke to TV station Canal+ about the offer he received and how he is happy at Real Madrid.
He said: “Of course it is flattering to hear that [United were interested].
“Jose Mourinho is the one who made me come to Real Madrid and Manchester United is a great club.
“But from the moment I knew the project Real Madrid had for me there were no more questions.“It was really that trust, that support which was important for me, and when I was reassured on that point, there was no question of it any more.”
“I have always felt good at Real Madrid. I looked at the pros and cons. It was a life decision in respect to my career.
“We are men and you must make decisions. Since the moment I knew what my role was going to be, I had no more questions.”