Raphael Varane has set the criteria at Manchester United in an interview, insisting that the Reds are heading in the right direction after a recovery of form.
Varane was out for longer at the start of the season, but injuries gave the Frenchman a chance to regain his position and he has had one of United’s most trusted defenders ever since.
Varane’s two-and-a-half-year spell at Old Trafford has been devastated by injuries and there are rumours that he could end up leaving the club at the end of this campaign.
Regardless, he remains an important cog in United’s machinery and will be needed between now and the end of the season, with Ten Hag still dealing with serious injuries across the squad.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s delightful FA Cup quarter-final clash against Liverpool, Varane explained where United aspire to be and where he hopes to build on the improvement in his form since the start of the year.
“It’s very important,” he told Manchester United’s official website of the construction push. “We need to feel comfortable, we need to have confidence on the pitch. We need to be as consistent as we can imagine and in the last few months we’ve been smart, which is positive.
“I think it’s a smart moment for me, I’m enjoying every game so we can keep it going until the end of the season. “
The 2018 World Cup winner asked in more detail about United’s intentions for this season and the defender was quick to state that the goal is to sit at the gastronomic table of Europe.
“That’s our purpose. That is the purpose and what we must achieve. These and the FA Cup. Those are the two main things we need to keep fighting and fighting for.
The Champions League will run over the next season and depending on how English clubs perform in European competitions this season against other top-tier leagues, a fifth-place finish in the Premier League may be enough to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
United gained momentum in their bid to break into the top five on Saturday when Tottenham Hotspur suffered a shock defeat to Fulham, meaning the Reds are now six points behind Ange Postecoglou’s men.
Other must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, tailored to your favorite sports and teams. Sent by email. Always free!