Manchester United £42m new boy Raphael Varane trains with his new team-mates for the first time as he insists he and Paul Pogba will 'do all we can to win trophies' despite doubts over his compatriot's future

  • Raphael Varane is excited at the prospect of playing with star man Paul Pogba
  • The Frenchman last week sealed his £42m transfer to Man Utd from Real Madrid 
  • Varane links up with national team-mate Pogba at Old Trafford this season
  • The defender is delighted at the fact he will be starring alongside the midfielder
  • Pogba's United future remains uncertain as he enters the last year of his contract

Raphael Varane has expressed excitement at the prospect of linking up with France team-mate Paul Pogba at Manchester United as the Red Devils' new £42million signing gave his first interview since sealing his switch.

The 28-year-old was unveiled to a sensational ovation from the United masses at Old Trafford before their season opener against Leeds, with Varane flaunting his new No 19 shirt before supporters.

The Frenchman has put pen to paper on a four-year deal with United, ending Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's search for an elite defender to partner club captain and £80m man Harry MaguireThe 28-year-old has stepped on to the training pitch for the first time on Monday, getting to work on the grass with his new team-mates and the United coaches..

Manchester United's Raphael Varane has trained with his team-mates for the very first time

The former Real Madrid man chatted to fellow Red Devils summer signing Jadon Sancho (left)

The former Real Madrid man chatted to fellow Red Devils summer signing Jadon Sancho (left)

He was straight into action, with Phil Jones (centre) who refused to give Varane his No 4 shirt

He was straight into action, with Phil Jones (centre) who refused to give Varane his No 4 shirt

The 28-year-old has stepped on to the training pitch for the first time on Monday, getting to work on the grass with his new team-mates and the United coaches. 

United are aiming to close the gap on arch rivals Manchester City and win the Premier League, with Solskjaer starved of silverware during his tenure. Varane's vast array of trophies adds much-needed experience to help United over the line. 

And he could not contain his excitement at the reality that he will be playing alongside Pogba week in, week out for United.

'I'm very happy,' he told the club's official website. 'I've known him for a very long time, we started together with the French national team and he's a great player. 

'I think he's ambitious and me too, so we are ready to work hard and to do all we can to win trophies.'

United have landed Varane having admired the Frenchman for some time
The 28-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Red Devils

The Frenchman sealed his £42million switch to Old Trafford from Real Madrid last week

Varane has expressed excitement at the prospect of linking up with his compatriot Paul Pogba

Varane has expressed excitement at the prospect of linking up with his compatriot Paul Pogba

Pogba's United future is uncertain, with the Frenchman entering the final year of his contract. Varane added that his countryman is 'very positive' and has 'very good energy' in the dressing room. 

'I think Paul is very positive and he has a very good energy; he motivates players in the dressing room and on the pitch with his energy. 

'We are different but we are very complementary, and it's important in the team to have different types of leaders and characters.' 

He has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with the club heavily linked with the defender in 2011, before he opted to move to Real Madrid. 

Varane (R) has played alongside Pogba (No 6) with France and said he 'motivates' other players

Varane (R) has played alongside Pogba (No 6) with France and said he 'motivates' other players

Pogba's United future is uncertain with the Frenchman entering the final year of his contract

Pogba's United future is uncertain with the Frenchman entering the final year of his contract

But Varane says that Pogba has a 'very positive' attitude and gives off 'good energy' as a player

But Varane says that Pogba has a 'very positive' attitude and gives off 'good energy' as a player

Varane said that, although he snubbed Sir Alex Ferguson's advances ten years ago, he jumped at the chance of playing Premier League football when the opportunity arose again.

'There had been a lot of rumours and a lot of people speaking about me and Manchester United since 2011, when Sir Alex Ferguson came to my mother's house,' he said. 

'When it was real, that was when I spoke with my club, and I felt it was a real opportunity to play in the Premier League for Manchester United.' 

Varane is excited to follow in the footsteps of 'legends' Rio Ferdinand (L) and Nemanja Vidic (R)

Varane is excited to follow in the footsteps of 'legends' Rio Ferdinand (L) and Nemanja Vidic (R)

Varane also shared his pride in following in the footsteps of 'legends' Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, delighting in joining the United 'family'. 

'Of course, Vidic and Ferdinand were legends,' he added. 'I remember players like Cristiano, Giggs and Beckham also. They are legends and I'm very proud to be part of this family.'

Varane is United's third signing of the summer, after £73m man Jadon Sancho and Tom Heaton, a free signing. United are next in action on Sunday when they travel to Southampton in the Premier League. 

Man United: Raphael Varane trains with his new team-mates for the first time

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