Latest news with #Varane
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd can offer Liam Delap dream number after offloading £350,000-a-week star
Manchester United are in the process of a major overhaul this summer with plenty of ingoings and outgoings, and one potential signing could be handed his dream shirt number from the off Liam Delap could get his hands on the number 19 shirt at Manchester United following Raphael Varane's exit and subsequent retirement in 2024. The Red Devils are at the beginning of a major squad turnover this summer, with current manager Ruben Amorim planning to "improve the team we have" from the starting eleven all the way through to the academy. One star that Amorim is reportedly keen to bring in is Ipswich Town striker Delap. He is likely to appear in the transfer market this summer following the club's relegation at the end of the 2024/25 season. The 22-year-old scored 12 goals and assisted twice in his most recent campaign and is available for £30million due to a relegation clause written into Delap's contract with Ipswich. Delap has reportedly been in contact with several clubs, including Chelsea, Everton, Newcastle and United, ahead of the transfer window opening. The Red Devils are said to have agreed to the framework of a deal for the young attacker, including an outline of personal terms with Delap's agents. While other Premier League sides are interested in his services, United could sway Delap towards Old Trafford by offering him a sweetener in the form of his chosen shirt number. Across his professional career, Delap has opted for the number 19 while representing Ipswich in the Premier League and also during his international career with England's youth squads. Other digits used include 20 with Hull City and seven with Preston North End, but he has seemingly settled on 19 as his preferred squad number for the future. And United are in luck, as this shirt is currently available on the list of vacancies in their squad. The number 19 was most recently used by high-profile signing Varane, who exited the squad for Como in last year's summer transfer window before retiring just weeks later in September 2024. Before his exit last summer, Varane was one of the highest earners in United's team, with the Mail reporting that the Frenchman was earning up to £350,000-a-week since signing a contract in 2021. Other players who utilised the same number as Varane in the past include current United star Amad Diallo and out-of-favour forward Marcus Rashford. However, it seems like Amorim is going for a more modest squad ahead of the 2025/26 season after their humiliating Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. Speaking ahead of United's preseason tour through Malaysia and Hong Kong, the Red Devils boss has admitted that the club had two plans based on what went down in Bilbao earlier in May. He said: "We always prepare two plans. "With and without the Champions League. Without the Champions League, we also don't need a big squad. We can control the squad in a better way. Then we have a plan, that is to bring in some new players, but our big plan is to improve the team we have, to improve the Academy. "It was the past, so it can be the future. It can't change much because of Financial Fair Play, we are not allowed to do much, even with the Champions League, so we are prepared." Following the 1-0 loss to Spurs that cemented trophyless United's exit from European football for the upcoming campaign, Amorim insists that his team will take their lessons from previous games and look to move forward as soon as possible. He added: "It was important to finish the season, we needed to close that chapter. It's not fully behind us because I have one row of English journalists waiting for the hard questions, so I will rest from that when we finish the tour. "To tell you the truth, I closed that chapter, I'm excited, I'm nervous, I want to work to the next season, I don't have that feeling that I need to disconnect, I had the feeling to close the season, but now it's a new season, so I am excited at the same moment. "So, I don't need rest, I just need to prepare for the next season." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Former Real Madrid and United defender attends Europa League final clash at Bilbao
Image Source: Getty Former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Raphaël Varane made a cameo at the UEFA Europa League final , in Bilbao on 21 May 2025. The match to be held at San Mamés Stadium , the hosts were treated to an all-English affair in the form of Manchester United taking on Tottenham Hotspur . Unforgettable moments as Varane, who announced his retirement on 22 September 2024 on account of the knee injury, is present at the event, with memories flooding back for both supporters and the press. A celebrated career and recent retirement Raphael Varane has had a glittering career with some of Europe's biggest clubs and his national team, with whom he whole several trophies. Varane started his playing career with RC Lens and joined Real Madrid in 2011, where he made 360 appearances and won four UEFA Champions League titles and three important La Liga titles. Varane moved to Manchester United in 2021 and was part of their League Cup and FA Cup victories in 2023 and 2024, respectively. He played a crucial role in France's 2018 FIFA World Cup win and their runners-up finish in 2022. — Football__Tweet (@Football__Tweet) Varane's playing career was curtailed when he suffered a knee injury in his first match for Serie A team Como in the Coppa Italia against Sampdoria. The injury forced his retirement at the age of 31. Announcing his retirement, Varane thanked his career and suggested that he might explore future opportunities away from the pitch, saying: "And so begins a new life off the field. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Entrevista exclusiva: a verdade sobre o magnésio que ninguém te contou AlwaysFit Undo I will remain with Como. Just without my boots and shin pads.' Presence at the Europa League final And his appearance at the Europa League final in Bilbao demonstrated as much, that there was still a link to the game and his old clubs. The final is to be attended by a large number of fans from all around the globe. According to some reports, over 70,000 British fans had traveled to town, prompting security to be tightened up. Varane's attendance increased the prestige of the event, with him joining the company of a number of football legends and dignitaries as the tournament reached its conclusion. Also Read: Supercomputer simulation reveals likely winner of Tottenham vs Manchester United Europa League final So while Varane has retired from professional playing, his participation in something like the Europa League final indicates there could be a future in football-related capacities to be had, maybe as a coach, a mentor, or part of administration. It is important to note why experience and insight like his contribute in so many ways to the football family. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
World Cup winner Raphael Varane backs ex-boss Carlo Ancelotti to lift Brazil
Raphael Varane believes that his former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has what it takes to reinvigorate Brazil. PHOTO: REUTERS HONG KONG – French World Cup winner Raphael Varane has backed his former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti to lift Brazil out of the doldrums, when the Italian takes over at the helm of the five-time World Cup winners later in May. Ancelotti was named Brazil's first permanent foreign coach last week and will start in his new role on May 26 on a contract that runs through to the 2026 World Cup Finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The five-time Champions League winning coach will lead the country into June's South American qualifiers, and 2018 World Cup winner Varane believes that Ancelotti has the pedigree to reinvigorate the squad following recent struggles. 'What I can say is that in football, in national teams, it's about being at the top level with a very short period of time to prepare yourself to perform,' Varane, who also played for Manchester United, said on the sidelines of the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens. 'So it's a different challenge that you're facing from the day-to-day with a club. 'But I think if you're capable of winning trophies like the Champions League, and if you're capable of raising your level for big games, then you're capable of doing it anywhere, at any time.' The Frenchman added: 'I think Carlo is a great coach. He has a lot of experience, so he knows how to prepare the players to perform at the right time. 'That's the difficult thing. You have to meet with history. Every time (at the World Cup) it's only one chance, so you can't miss many opportunities. I think at the top level he knows how to do it.' The former defender knows Ancelotti well after they shared two seasons at Real in the Italian's first spell in charge and together they won the Champions League in 2014, one of four continental crowns Varane collected at the Bernabeu. Brazil are currently fourth in the standings in the South American preliminaries, 10 points adrift of bitter rivals Argentina, who have already secured their berth at the 2026 tournament in North America. The top six all reach the World Cup, with seventh place going into the intercontinental play-offs. While the Brazilians remain likely to qualify despite their faltering form, Varane was confident Ancelotti could raise standards to ensure the team are competitive at the Finals. 'If he goes there, he knows how to do it, how to prepare the players, feeling comfortable and confident enough because we are talking about Brazil,' he said. 'At that level the players have the quality, they just need to be together and confident.' Meanwhile, with Barcelona beating Real to the La Liga title, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, Real, having been knocked out of the Champions League, only have the Club World Cup left to fight for this year. 'This is part of football, sometimes you're not able to get the best out of everyone. Barcelona have done very well, because they've been more consistent in the league and played very beautiful football,' Ancelotti said. 'I congratulate them. They deserved to win this league.' REUTERS, AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
World Cup winner Varane backs ex-boss Ancelotti to lift Brazil
HONG KONG - French World Cup winner Raphael Varane has backed his former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti to lift Brazil out of the doldrums when the Italian takes over at the helm of the five-times World Cup winners later this month. Ancelotti was named Brazil's first permanent foreign coach last week and will start in his new role on May 26 on a contract that runs through to next year's World Cup finals. The five-times Champions League winning coach will lead the country into June's South American qualifiers, and 2018 World Cup winner Varane believes Ancelotti has the pedigree to reinvigorate the squad following recent struggles. "What I can say is that in football, in national teams, it's about being at the top level with a very short period of time to prepare yourself to perform," Varane told Reuters on the sidelines of the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens. "So it's a different challenge that you're facing from the day-to-day with a club. "But I think if you're capable of winning trophies like the Champions League, and if you're capable of raising your level for big games, then you're capable of doing it anywhere, at any time. "I think Carlo is a great coach. He has a lot of experience, so he knows how to prepare the players to perform at the right time. "That's the difficult thing. You have to meet with history. Every time (at the World Cup) it's only one chance, so you can't miss many opportunities. I think at the top level he knows how to do it." The former defender knows Ancelotti well after they shared two seasons at Real Madrid in the Italian's first spell in charge and together they won the Champions League in 2014, one of four continental crowns Varane collected at the Bernabeu. Brazil are currently fourth in the standings in the South American preliminaries, 10 points adrift of bitter rivals Argentina, who have already secured their berth at next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. While the Brazilians remain likely to qualify despite their faltering form, Varane was confident Ancelotti could raise standards to ensure the team are competitive at the finals. "If he goes there, he knows how to do it, how to prepare the players, feeling comfortable and confident enough because we are talking about Brazil," said Varane. "At that level the players have the quality, they just need to be together and confident." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
19-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
World Cup winner Varane backs ex-boss Ancelotti to lift Brazil
HONG KONG :French World Cup winner Raphael Varane has backed his former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti to lift Brazil out of the doldrums when the Italian takes over at the helm of the five-times World Cup winners later this month. Ancelotti was named Brazil's first permanent foreign coach last week and will start in his new role on May 26 on a contract that runs through to next year's World Cup finals. The five-times Champions League winning coach will lead the country into June's South American qualifiers, and 2018 World Cup winner Varane believes Ancelotti has the pedigree to reinvigorate the squad following recent struggles. "What I can say is that in football, in national teams, it's about being at the top level with a very short period of time to prepare yourself to perform," Varane told Reuters on the sidelines of the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens. "So it's a different challenge that you're facing from the day-to-day with a club. "But I think if you're capable of winning trophies like the Champions League, and if you're capable of raising your level for big games, then you're capable of doing it anywhere, at any time. "I think Carlo is a great coach. He has a lot of experience, so he knows how to prepare the players to perform at the right time. "That's the difficult thing. You have to meet with history. Every time (at the World Cup) it's only one chance, so you can't miss many opportunities. I think at the top level he knows how to do it." The former defender knows Ancelotti well after they shared two seasons at Real Madrid in the Italian's first spell in charge and together they won the Champions League in 2014, one of four continental crowns Varane collected at the Bernabeu. Brazil are currently fourth in the standings in the South American preliminaries, 10 points adrift of bitter rivals Argentina, who have already secured their berth at next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. While the Brazilians remain likely to qualify despite their faltering form, Varane was confident Ancelotti could raise standards to ensure the team are competitive at the finals. "If he goes there, he knows how to do it, how to prepare the players, feeling comfortable and confident enough because we are talking about Brazil," said Varane. "At that level the players have the quality, they just need to be together and confident."
