Raphael Varane has retired from international football at the age of 29 but his decision might be a sign he things good times are coming back to Man Utd.
Erik ten Hag described it as “good news” and Raphael Varane’s retirement from international football is certainly an unexpected bonus for Manchester United.
The centre-back has had his injury issues since signing for £42million from Real Madrid 18 months ago, but he underwent a personal training plan in United pre-season and has been more robust this season, finally showing the kind of form that marks him out as one of the world’s best defenders.
He missed seven games after picking up what looked at the time like a nasty injury at Chelsea in October, but he was back sooner than expected and played a big role in France’s run to the World Cup final. But at just 29 and with only seven caps needed for a century, he has taken the decision to retire from international duty.
In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Varane said: “I’ve been contemplating this for several months and deciding it’s the right time for me to retire internationally.”
It’s rare for a player who is at the peak of their powers, and 29 is certainly that for a central defender, to give up international football. Paul Scholes made the same decision at the same age back in 2004.
Varane might have decided that he’s achieved all he set out to with France and it’s going to be difficult to top winning the World Cup in 2018. But reaching that milestone of 100 caps wasn’t far away and the European Championships are only 18 months into the distance. They were two very attainable targets in what remains the best squad in Europe.
But injuries have been an issue for Varane. He had five separate absences last season, his first at Old Trafford, and he’s already been unavailable for 25 games at United. Having international breaks off will significantly reduce his workload and build in more recovery time.
That should mean United get the best of Varane more often. That is an enticing prospect for Ten Hag, with the Frenchman forming a formidable defensive partnership with Lisandro Martinez.
It would have been interesting to see if Varane was making the same call if this has been the situation 12 months earlier. There is a feeling of positivity and progress at Old Trafford now. Even for a player who has won the lot, Varane must be excited by the prospect of returning United to the very top, something that looks achievable under Ten Hag.
It don’t look that way a year ago, when United were stumbling from one shambles to the next under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick. At that point putting your energy entirely into club football must have sounded unappealing. Players were performing better for their countries and international breaks felt like a weight off their shoulders.
That’s not the case any longer. There is a buzz back at Old Trafford and as Ten Hag said on Friday, Varane is enthused about the idea of winning trophies for this club.
“Rapha achieved everything in terms of football club wise but also with his nation it is incredible what he achieved, big respect and I am happy he puts all his energy and experience into the team,” the United manager said.
“He gave me the information that he was intending to do this. I don’t discuss (it with him). Rapha is experienced, at an age he makes his own decision about that.
“I can only express my deep respect for his career until now. But still there is a lot to come, he is ambitious, he wants to win at Manchester United.”
The chances of winning at United have certainly risen with Varane’s decision to call time with France.
