Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has vowed to stop Manchester City top striker Erling Haaland and ruin their chances of equaling Manchester United’s treble record of 1999 when both teams clash in the FA Cup final at Wembley on June 3, 2023.
Varane revealed to the press that the key to stopping Haaland is breaking his connection with Kevin De Bruyne, who is the player with the highest number of assists in the Premier League this season.
Raphael Varane said: “The connection, especially with De Bruyne, because they have a connection, we try to cut that connection.
“We try to stop them earlier and not at the end because sometimes it is too late. We have known Manchester City are strong as a team.”
The French defender continued, saying, “Obviously he is one of the very good players they have, but they are strong as a team, and we have to respond not to the individual but more to the collective.”
Raphael Varane also believes that they can stop Manchester City at Wembley. He said, “I think we know we are able to beat any team.
“We showed that this season. We know we can beat them, but we know they are a good team.”
“The approach is that we have to learn from the games we played against them, and we need a great performance. We have to be consistent for 90 minutes because we know that everything can be changed.”
Haaland has scored 52 goals in 51 games this season for Manchester City, and he is currently the most feared striker in the world.
Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag will have to start two of his best defenders, attack through the wing with his best players, and make sure Fred starts to push Kevin De Bruyne to the limit.
Raphael Varane’s personal life
Raphael Varane is married to his longtime partner, Camille Tytgat, on June 20, 2015. The couple met in 2011 when they were in high school. Camille Tytgat’s net worth is around $15 million.
The couple have a son named Ruben, born in 2017, who is currently five years old, and a daughter named Anais.
His brother, Jonathan Varane, is a professional footballer who currently plays for Sporting Gijon.
His sister, Annabelle Varane, won the Nord-Pas-de-Calais in 2018, and she also competed in Miss France in 2019.
Raphael Varane trophies
He won the World Cup and the UEFA Nations League with France.
Varane won four Champions Leagues, four FIFA Club World Cups, three Copa Del Reys, three UEFA Super Cups, one Spanish Cup, and three Spanish Super Cups with Real Madrid.
Raphael Varane won the Carabao Cup in 2023.
His Stats
The French defender made 446 appearances with 20 goals and eight assists. He has received 30 yellow cards and two red cards. Out of the 20 goals scored, 17 were for Real Madrid, one for Manchester United, and two for RC Lens.
The defender made 111 appearances for France, scoring nine goals in the process, before retiring.
