Raphael Varane explains biggest Manchester United difference this season

Raphael Varane, in his season and a half at Manchester United, has witnessed arguably the clubs lowest and highest points since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Raphael Varane, originally brought into Manchester United by Ole Gunnar Solskaer in the summer of 2021, has played under four managers during his time at the club so far: Solskjaer, Michael Carrick, Ralf Rangnick, and now Erik ten Hag.

United hit some very low points last season, including finishing sixth in the Premier League last season.

However, this season, United have achieved some incredible highs under Erik ten Hag. The advancement of the team has been mesmerising to watch for fans, with players such as Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, and Jadon Sancho being offered new breaths of life and are thriving from it.

Many have had their go at explaining how Ten Hag has turned this squad around, with brilliant results against the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City a testament to the progress – and Varane has explained what he thinks is a big reason for the team’s turn in form.

Speaking ahead of the second leg of the club’s Europa League tie against Barcelona at Old Trafford on Thursday, Varane explained that it’s the new-found confidence of the side that’s helped push them to new heights.

“First of all, it is the confidence, secondly, the discipline,” he explained. “We know exactly how we want to play and manage the game.

“With a little bit more experience and the mentality of competition we have already improved a lot.”

Continuing, he explained that in the last month Manchester United have benefitted from this change. “I think on the last month we grow a lot,” he said. “I think we are playing with more confidence and tomorrow the atmosphere will be electric. We have to manage our emotions, be calm and believe.”

Manchester United drew 2-2 with Barcelona in the first leg, with Rashford playing out of his skin to inspire a come-back after United initially went 1-0 down thanks to a header from Marcos Alonso.

In order to progress through the tie, due to the elimination of the away goals rule, United will have to beat Barcelona outright on the night in order to go through in 90 minutes.

“The next aim is to beat teams like Barcelona. It is a real challenge and a good opportunity,” said Varane.

Should the sides still be drawing on aggregate after two 90-minute fixtures, the fixture will go into a further 30 minutes of extra-time in order to decide a winner. If Ten Hag and Xavi’s men still cannot be split after a total of 210 minutes of football, then the winner shall be decided via penalty shootout.