A key Manchester United player felt he no longer had a future at the club and sought a move to Italy

Raphael Varane wanted to retire at Manchester United but joined Como after feeling that he didn’t fit Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s project. Varane signed for the Reds from Real Madrid in 2021 in a deal worth £43million, including add-ons.

The Frenchman’s three seasons at Old Trafford were marred by injury, meaning he only made 95 appearances across all competitions. There was also chaos above in the form of several United managers coming and going during that time.

In early 2024, Sir Jim bought a minority stake in the club, with Ineos taking charge of all footballing operations. Varane had previously been eager to sign another contract before its expiry that summer, having wanted to retire at United.

But, after winning the FA Cup, he ultimately opted to move on and sign for Serie A side Como due to the huge changes at United, signing a two-year deal with an option to extend in July 2024

The 2018 World Cup winner told French publication L'Equipe: “At the start of my last season at Manchester United, I was already telling myself that I would have liked to finish there, to extend the adventure [there] a little further.

“It didn't happen and the summer was very eventful. With United, I finished with a victory in the FA Cup, but I already knew that the club's project didn't suit me.”

The Real Madrid legend only played 23 minutes of football in his first game for Como before suffering another injury. Varane sustained a knee injury in the first half of the Coppa Italia match against Sampdoria and was then excluded from the club’s Serie A squad list.

Shortly after that, he announced his retirement in September 2024. “I was looking for something special, and that's how I found Como,” he added.

“Como was a project that stood out, it wasn't exotic nor financially [rewarding] but humanly it made sense, and it still does, since I'm going to stay by their side.

“I also wanted to play only once a week. After the pre-season, the family was supposed to follow me to Italy, but when I got injured on August 11, I knew right away that it was over. I was sure of myself, because I had anticipated it.”

The four-time Champions League winner, now 33, took up a senior role at the club immediately after hanging up his boots. He works on Como’s youth development and education programmes alongside being an investor.