JOSE MOURINHO has been denied the chance of a reunion with Raphael Varane at Manchester United after the centre-back pledged his allegiance to Real Madrid.
Mourinho took Varane to the Santiago Bernabeu during his managerial spell in Spain, and boldly declared the Frenchman to be the best young defender in world football.
But Varane has found opportunities limited ever since Mourinho left La Liga for a Premier League return, with Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez and Zinedine Zidane preferring to partner Sergio Ramos with wily Portuguese veteran Pepe.
Varane was continually linked with a move to Chelsea during Mourinho’s second spell in west London, but speculation ended when the Blues moved for Kurt Zouma instead.
And despite spending £30million to sign Eric Bailly from Villarreal, reports claims Mourinho is interested in pairing the Ivorian with Varane at Old Trafford in the upcoming campaign.
But the 23-year-old France international is adamant he won’t be going anywhere this summer, explaining that he’s decided to stay and fight for his place at Real after holding crunch talks with Zidane.
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Varane said: “I’ve spoken with Zidane and I’ve decided to stay.
“I feel loved by the club and the fans, they treat me as if I’d been here all my life… I want to give everything I possibly can.
“I feel the best is yet to come. In life you take decisions. I’m happy here and I want to stay here for a long time.
“I could never have imagined what I’ve achieved here, to have played so much and to have won so many trophies.
“I want to continue playing here; it’s an honour to wear the shirt.
Varane also revealed he’s spoken to fellow United target Paul Pogba about the Juventus midfielder’s future plans this summer, adding: “He’s an amazing player but I don’t know what he’ll do. That’s up to him.”
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