Raphael Varane has endorsed Manchester United’s appointment of Erik ten Hag and also named the club’s best player this campaign.
Ten Hag has agreed to take over from Ralf Rangnick at the end of the season, signing a three-year contract at Old Trafford.
‘I played against them in the Champions League and they played very well. I’m very excited to work with him,’ Varane said. ‘I’m looking forward to work with him. I think he has good experience and he’s a good person to work in this club.’
Ten Hag has a big job on his hands at United, with the club going five consecutive seasons without silverware and failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Varane has been part of a leaky United defence this campaign – the team have kept just 10 clean sheets in 47 matches – but the Frenchman expects to see improvements next season.
‘I think we can improve. I think we have good players and we have to defend together closer,’ the 29-year-old said.
‘I think this season we were a little bit irregular and I think we can improve and to do better next season. It’s not just about the defence but the whole team. I think we can improve, we can defend better.
‘We can be more in control during games. Sometimes we’re able to play very well 20-30 minutes and then play bad 10 or 15 minutes. We lost a lot of points like this.
‘I think if we are consistent, we can improve a lot, so I think it’s a collective work we have to do.’
Asked if De Gea had been United’s best player this term, Varane replied: ‘I agree. David is having an amazing season. He helped us a lot. I think he has experience and he’s an amazing goalkeeper.’
The Frenchman added: ‘The experience it’s amazing. The feeling to be a United player is something special. I am very happy to play in the Premier League and it’s a great experience.
‘I’m always positive and I think with a good pre-season, with good work, we can prepare well the next season and be ready to fight for every trophy. That’s the ambition of this club.’
