Manchester United have made a habit of signing Real Madrid players in recent times. In the summer of 2021, they signed Raphael Varane. And then last summer, they got a blockbuster deal done for Casemiro almost out of the blue. Both have become key parts of Erik ten Hag’s starting XI, as the Red Devils have enjoyed a bit of a resurgence this season.
Both Varane and Casemiro were important members of one of the most successful Real Madrid teams ever, before making the move to Old Trafford. And in the case of the French defender, he has not closed the door on a possible return to Santiago Bernabeu before retiring.
Of course, such a move would be difficult because rarely do Real Madrid go back for former players. But never say never in football.
As reported by MARCA, Varane said about his future in an interview with GQ:
"“There won’t be another team. I will finish my career at Real Madrid, Manchester United or Lens (the three teams I have played for). Madrid seems complicated, because it does not usually return. I don’t mean to rush, but the closer you get to 30, the more you think about it.”"
Manchester United player opens door to Real Madrid return in the future
Despite having achieved so much in his career, Varane is still just 29 years of age and should have plenty of football left in the tank. That should be especially true due to the fact the he has already retired from international football.
Is a return to Real Madrid likely? Of course not. It is only recently that Varane joined Manchester United and he is a regular there. Thus, one would expect him to spend several more years at Old Trafford before making a change, unless he decides to retire there itself.
In fact, a move to Lens in order to finish his career feels a lot more likely than a return to Real Madrid. It was at the French club that he came through the ranks and got his first taste of senior football before moving to Santiago Bernabeu in 2011 as a teenager.