Manchester United star’s £34m FA Cup final performance was bittersweet, he’s still world class

That’s why it was so special to see Manchester United’s players put all that aside and produce the big performance that the moment called for, and that was Raphael Varane’s performance.

Varane, a £34m signing from Real Madrid in 2021, had already announced he would be leaving the club, with his contract expiring at the end of the current season.

Why Manchester United let Varane go

When Raphael Varane announced his exit, his departure was no surprise. Manchester United have refused to activate an extension to keep him on his expensive contract.

Varane has made just 16 Premier League starts this season. When fit, he is still one of the best centre-backs in football.

The problem is that he has struggled to stay healthy and Manchester United have made a pragmatic decision to move on and invest in a younger centre-back, whose identity remains to be determined.

And all of that is touchy-feely, but watching Varane in the FA Cup final was a bittersweet feeling as Manchester United beat bitter rivals City.

Raphael Varane’s performance was world class

For a second consecutive FA Cup final, Raphael Varane canceled out Erling Haaland’s threat. This time, he had Lisandro Martinez by his side.

Martinez and Varane have shown signs over the past two years that they should be considered United’s best central defensive partnership since Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.

It’s just a shame we couldn’t see them playing together regularly in 2023/24.

Against City, the Frenchman was immaculate. He completed 95 percent of his back passes, made seven clearances and rarely looked troubled.

Varane is only 31, but he will feel much older in football terms. He has been playing at a world level since he was a teenager.

While it’s understandable that United didn’t keep him around, it’s a shame he’s not five years younger.

Varane is tipping the scales, setting the standard for Manchester United’s next centre-back. Although there may be more available than him, in terms of quality, he will be hard to match.

He showed at Wembley that on his day, he is still absolutely world class and it is a loss to Manchester United and France.

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