Manchester United defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw both welcomed the arrival of Raphael Varane with open arms.
Speaking on the UMM YouTube channel, the two Englishmen were asked about the recruitment of Varane from Real Madrid last month.
The Frenchman left his Spanish settlement after a decade of silverware-laden service, to test his mettle against the Premier League’s elite.
He was put straight to work in the last domestic fixture before the international break, facing Wolverhampton Wanderers in front of a vocal Molineux crowd.
Although the 28-year-old probably received a few bumps and bruises, he completed his mission extremely efficiently.
His inclusion into the defence makes United’s back line one of the meanest in the division.
Next to Varane, the formidable figure of Maguire. Further to his left, the rejuvenated Shaw.
“Obviously very excited to get him at the club and work alongside him,” said the United captain.
“I think him coming in will bolster that defensive unit. We can learn off each other, we can push each other.
“That’s what we want for the club, to keep more clean sheets and the more competition the better.”
“He’s pretty much won everything and of course he’s brought that experience,” continued Shaw, in the same complimentary flow.
United on the up
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and David De Gea make up the Red Devils’ stronghold.
Now with Varane on board, there aren’t many in Europe who can boost a better rear-guard.
But for all the money spent on assembling a new stronghold, it will mean very little if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cannot claim a trophy this season.
Almost every United fan has accepted that the past few years have been about building a squad, as appose to the old method of simply throwing one together.
It feels the project has almost reached its conclusion, mainly based on the signings made this summer.
Jadon Sancho’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund kick-started the party, closely followed by Varane.
Understandably, Cristiano Ronaldo’s return stole all of the headlines; spare a thought for Tom Heaton, who also rejoined his former club.
Add the already in place names of Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood and co., there is no excuse for United not to challenge for every title available.
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