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MANCHESTER UNITED CONFIRM SIGNING OF RAPHAEL VARANE, UNVEILS HIM AT OLD TRAFFORD

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane.

After announcing a deal had been struck to sign the France international on July 27th, the completion of the 28-year-old’s signing has been delayed due to the need for a visa, isolation and medical.

Such delays meant Varane missed Saturday’s clash with rivals Leeds, but United announced just before kick-off that he had signed a four-year deal.

Varane said: “Manchester United is one of the most iconic clubs in world football and the chance to come here and play in the Premier League is something I couldn’t turn down.

“There is a lot more that I want to achieve in my career and I know I’m joining a squad full of great players who will all have the same determination to win matches and trophies.

“Having spoken to the manager I can see how much progress has been made over the last few seasons and I now join a group ready to play at the highest level.

“I want to make an impact here and I will give everything to become part of this club’s illustrious history.”

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have managed to secure one of the best defenders in the world over the last 10 years.

“Raphael is a proven winner who we have tracked over a long period of time and we know just how much of a dedicated professional he is.

“We have great depth of international defenders and he will add his immense skill set and leadership to that group.

“He is a unique defender with a rare combination of top-level attributes that I know will rub off on our younger players.

“He has won everything there is to win, but I know that he is still determined to succeed, I can’t wait to welcome him into the squad.”

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Raphael Varane completes second part of Manchester United medical

Raphael Varane has reportedly now completed the second and final part of his medical at Manchester United, with the Red Devils preparing to announce the centre-back’s signature.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side revealed at the end of July that they had agreed a fee, which could rise to £42m, with Real Madrid for the transfer of the 28-year-old.

The deal has been held up due to the France international needing to quarantine before undergoing a medical, but Varane underwent the first part of his medical earlier this week.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the World Cup winner has now completed all the required tests and will sign a contract at Old Trafford until June 2025, with the option of a further 12 months.

Man United are hopeful that Varane, who has not been in action since Euro 2020, will be available for Saturday’s Premier League opener against Leeds United at Old Trafford.

Jadon Sancho has been training with the 20-time English champions this week, meanwhile, and the England international looks set to make his first outing for the club against Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Edinson Cavani, though, is expected to miss the start of the 2021-22 campaign, having not yet returned to England following his involvement for Uruguay at the Copa America.

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Manchester United to unveil Raphael Varane on Wednesday

Raphael Varane could reportedly be announced as a Manchester United player on Wednesday following his move from Real Madrid.

The World Cup-winning Frenchman is set to complete a move to the Red Devils after the club agreed a £34m deal with Los Blancos, but quarantine and visa issues have thus far prevented him from linking up with the squad.

However, according to journalist Jonathan Shrager, Varane may be able to complete his medical and be unveiled by Man United on Wednesday, putting him in with an outside chance of featuring in their Premier League opener with Leeds United.

Shrager tweeted: “There is confidence that Varane’s medical, signing and announcement can be officially completed on Wednesday, which would then allow him to train with the team on Thursday/Friday, opening up the possibility that he could feature in #MUFC’s matchday squad in season opener vs Leeds.”

Varane left Real Madrid after winning four Champions League crowns and three La Liga titles in a 10-year spell, as well as claiming 17 goals from 360 appearances.

The Red Devils have also bolstered their attacking line with the £73m signing of Jadon Sancho, who was pictured in training with United for the first time yesterday.

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AXEL TUANZEBE RETURNS TO ASTON VILLA ON LOAN FROM MANCHESTER UNITED

Aston Villa have signed defender Axel Tuanzebe from Manchester United on a season-long loan.

Tuanzebe returns to Villa Park two years after helping the club gain promotion to the Premier League via the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.

The 23-year-old made 30 appearances for Villa in all competitions that season before returning to Old Trafford.

Tuanzebe played 10 times for Manchester United’s first team in the 2019-20 campaign and appeared in a further 18 games in all competitions last season, picking up seven yellow cards in his first 13 matches.

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MANCHESTER UNITED’S RASHFORD TO HAVE SHOULDER SURGERY

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is to undergo shoulder surgery, the Premier League giants announced Friday, and could now miss the opening months of the new season.

The 23-year-old has long had shoulder trouble, nursing the injury for much of last season and during his involvement in Euro 2020, where Rashford was one of several England players who missed a penalty in a shootout loss to Italy in the final.

But he could now be out of action until October at the earliest, with a United statement saying: “Following consultation between Marcus, the manager, club medical staff and specialists, Marcus will undergo surgery imminently to resolve his shoulder injury.

“He will now focus on his rehabilitation in order to return as soon as possible.”

United begin their Premier League season at home to Leeds on August 14, and it could be that Rashford also misses up to five World Cup qualifiers with England.

Rashford, speaking about his fitness during the Euros last month, accepted he had not been in peak form during the second half of a 2020/21 season where United finished as runners-up to Premier League champions and local rivals Manchester City.

“Obviously I am not performing at my best and what I know I can perform to,” Rashford said at the time.

“Whatever that is down to, it doesn’t really matter because it has been going on since early on in the season. I managed to get through the season with United.

“I think I had 36 goal involvements, so I can’t look back at the year and say ‘mmm, I should have taken time off to do this and do that’. That’s just not the way I look at things. I just want to be available for every game.”

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RAPHAEL VARANE SET FOR MAN UNITED MEDICALS AFTER REAL AGREE DEAL FOR FRENCH DEFENDER

Raphael Varane will reportedly undergo his medical tests in a couple of days, which will then make his move from Real Madrid to Manchester United a formality.

According to reputed Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Manchester United are moving closer and closer to secure the services of Raphael Varane in the summer transfer window. The Real Madrid defender is pencilled in for his medical with the Premier League heavyweights, which will be conducted in two days.

Raphael Varane is bringing a glittering decade-long stint with Real Madrid to a close, with the Frenchman winning every single trophy at club level with Los Blancos. During his stint, the 28-year-old has turned out 360 times for the Merengues while chipping in with 17 goals and seven assists.

However, it had been speculated for a long time that Varane was keen on embarking on a new challenge this summer while he was still at the peak of his powers. To that end, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have been heavily linked with the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner, with the Red Devils prevailing in the race to sign him.

At Manchester United, the need of the hour has been to sign a reliable long-term partner for captain Harry Maguire following the blow hot blow cold displays of Victor Lindelof. With the Swede also struggling with a niggling back issue last term, in addition to the fitness issues that have plagued Eric Bailly, it became imperative that the English giants signed a centre-back.

To that end, Manchester United were heavily linked with a gamut of central defenders early in the summer before they zeroed in on Varane after sensing there was a real opportunity to sign him. And in the week gone by, Manchester United have come within whiskers of securing the services of the Real Madrid defender.

The much sought-after “Here We Go” was delivered by Fabrizio Romano on Monday and Gianluca Di Marzio has further revealed that Varane’s medical with Manchester United is set to be conducted in two days. Further, it has been revealed that a €50 million fee has been agreed between the Red Devils and Real Madrid.

In some additional information from the reliable David Ornstein, the Premier League heavyweights have agreed a four-year deal with Varane. The deal is nothing short of a coup for Manchester United, who are signing a world class defender while he is still at his peak. What now remains to be seen is if Varane can continue to garner success at club level after leaving Real Madrid for Manchester United.

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MANCHESTER UNITED CONCEDE FOUR IN HEAVY PRESEASON DEFEAT AT QPR

Manchester United suffered a heavy defeat in the second preseason friendly of the summer, losing 4-2 at Queens Park Rangers.

Jesse Lingard gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team the lead at Loftus Road but three goals in six minutes early in the second half ensured a comfortable win for the home side.

Solskjaer, whose new three-year contract was announced hours before kickoff, picked a strong team from the players available with Tom Heaton, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams, Axel Tuanzebe, Andreas Pereira, Nemanja Matic, Daniel James, Mason Greenwood and Lingard all handed starts.

Lingard, who impressed in the win at Derby County on Sunday, didn’t need much time to make his mark here. Greenwood rolled a pass into Facundo Pellistri, whose cushioned touch set up the England forward to score after three minutes.

United weren’t ahead for long with Charlie Austin heading in QPR’s equaliser from Lee Wallace’s cross from the left.

The teams went in at half-time level but almost in the blink of an eye, QPR were 4-1 up.

Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes, on as a half-time substitute, put the Championship side ahead with a shot that deflected into the roof of the net after 53 minutes before five minutes later Moses Adubajo made it 3-1, cutting in off the right to fire past Lee Grant, on at half-time for Heaton, from 25 yards.

Before an hour was on the clock, Dykes scored his second of the afternoon with a shot drilled across Grant and into the corner of the net.

The one highlight for United in the second half was youngster Anthony Elanga’s goal from the edge of the area to make it 4-2.

Solskjaer’s team continue their preparations for the new season with a home friendly against Premier League new boys Brentford on Wednesday.

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OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER SIGNS NEW MANCHESTER UNITED DEAL

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has signed a contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2024, the club announced Saturday.

The Norwegian’s previous deal was due to run out in 2022, but United have agreed to fresh terms to extend his stay as manager. He has signed a three-year contract with the option of another year.

“Everyone knows the feeling I have for this club, and I am delighted to have signed this new contract,” Solskjaer said in a statement. “It is an exciting time for Manchester United, we have built a squad with a good balance of youth and experienced players that are hungry for success.

“I have a fantastic coaching team around me, and we are all ready to take that next step on our journey.

“Manchester United wants to be winning the biggest and best trophies and that’s what we are all striving for. We have improved, both on and off the pitch, and that will continue over the coming seasons. I can’t wait to get out in front of a packed Old Trafford and get this campaign started.”

The announcement comes a day after United confirmed the £72.9 million signing of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund on a five-year contract until 2026, with the option of another year.

Solskjaer, 48, took over at Old Trafford — initially as caretaker following the departure of Jose Mourinho — in 2018. He was appointed to the role permanently in March 2019 — signing a three-year contract — after winning 14 of his first 19 games in charge.

“Ole and his staff have worked tirelessly putting the foundations in place for long-term success on the pitch,” executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said.

“The results of that have become increasingly visible over the past two seasons and we are all looking forward to seeing this exciting team develop further in the years ahead.

“What is especially pleasing is the way this progress has been achieved with a blend of young, homegrown talent and top-class recruits, playing attacking football in the best traditions of Manchester United. We are more confident than ever that, under Ole’s leadership, we are heading in the right direction.”

Solskjaer has won 84 of his 151 games as United boss and led the team to a second-place finish in the Premier League last season as well as the Europa League final, where they lost on penalties to Villarreal after a 1-1 draw.

He scored 126 goals in 366 games as a player for United, winning six Premier League titles and the 1999 Champions League.

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MANCHESTER UNITED ANNOUNCE THE SIGNING OF JODAN SANCHO

Manchester United is delighted to announce the signing of Jadon Sancho, subject to international clearance, keeping him at the club until June 2026, with an option of a further year.
Sancho, 21, scored 50 goals and registered 64 assists in four seasons with Borussia Dortmund. The England International was part of the squad that reached the final of Euro 2020.

Jadon Sancho said:

“I’ll always be grateful to Dortmund for giving me the opportunity to play first team football, although I always knew that I would return to England one day. The chance to join Manchester United is a dream come true and I just cannot wait to perform in the Premier League. This is a young and exciting squad and I know, together, we can develop into something special to bring the success that the fans deserve. I am looking forward to working with the Manager and his coaching team to further develop my game.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said:

“Jadon epitomises the type of player I want to bring to the club, he is a forward player in the best traditions of Manchester United. He will form an integral part of my squad for years to come and we look forward to seeing him blossom. His goals and assists records speak for themselves and he will also bring tremendous pace, flair and creativity to the team.

“Old Trafford will give him the platform he needs to release his untapped talent and perform at the highest level. For a player of his age, Jadon has already achieved a great deal and showed the courage to go and prove himself abroad. We all look forward to welcoming Jadon to the squad as we prepare for the new campaign.”

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CLUBS MUST EDUCATE FANS ON RACISM – EVRA

Football clubs should interact with fans to educate them about racism, former France and Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has said, after Black players in the England team were subjected to online racist abuse after their Euro 2020 final loss.

Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were the targets of the abuse after they missed spot-kicks in England’s 3-2 shootout loss to Italy after the game ended 1-1 following extra time.

The abuse drew wide condemnation from England’s captain, manager, royalty, religious leaders and politicians, with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging social media companies to do more to tackle online abuse that “emerged from the dark spaces of the internet.”

“If we don’t do something racism will always be there because it’s been there for so many years. You know we need to change and that’s why education is really important,” Evra told Sky Sports.

“I want those clubs to invest in education, to meet the fans, for the players to speak to the fans, maybe a group of fans and tell what they feel when they get abused because of their colour.

“Don’t tell me the football clubs can’t do that, or FIFA or UEFA, more meetings with the fans so they understand when they make a monkey noise when a Black player gets the ball, the way it affects them. That’s really important.”

Online abuse of players led to British football authorities briefly boycotting social media platforms before the Euros, while Britain is planning legislation to force tech firms to do more.

A Twitter spokesperson last week said they had removed more than 1,000 posts and permanently suspended a number of accounts, while Facebook said it too had quickly removed abusive comments.