Varane’s pitch perfect entrance

A SPRINKLING of rain broke through the August sunshine just to remind Raphael Varane that he is in Manchester now, and the Leeds fans did their best to ruin the moment. ‘Who the f*****g hell are you?’ they chanted from the south-east corner of Old Trafford. But nothing could take away from a picturebook introduction for Manchester United’s £34million signing — the kind you cannot mock up with gizmos and hashtags on social media. Old Trafford was full to capacity for the first time in 17 months and bursting with anticipation at the start of a new season against their bitter rivals from across the Pennines. The sense of rebirth which the opening day often brings was made all the more special after a season behind closed doors.

With a quarter of an hour to go before kick-off, United officially confirmed Varane’s signing from Real Madrid after weeks of negotiation, Covid isolation and, in recent days, a little frustration.

Five minutes later, the Frenchman stepped out on to the pristine turf to a momentous reception. He marched towards the centre circle clutching his No 19 shirt and lapped up the applause from the majority inside Old Trafford, before taking a selfie in front of the Stretford End.

Then the 28-year-old headed back towards the tunnel, stopping only to embrace Rio Ferdinand — working pitchside for BT Sport and arguably the closest thing United have had to a centre- back like Varane in recent times.

And so began a near perfect day for United. A 5-1 win over Leeds, three goals for Bruno Fernandes and four assists for Paul Pogba.

Mason Greenwood was United’s other stand-out player, leading the line and scoring at a crucial stage after Leeds had equalised early in the second half. Except for Luke Ayling’s strike, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could not have scripted this any better if he had tried.

‘It’s been the perfect day,’ said the United manager. ‘Driving in today and seeing the fans outside and then coming inside and feeling the energy was absolutely brilliant.’

United’s other big summer signing, Jadon Sancho, came on in the 75th minute. At the same time Solskjaer decided to rest Pogba.

Yes, this was quite a statement of intent from United — delivered without Varane, Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford.

It is far too early to make bold predictions for Solskjaer and his team. After all, they beat Leeds 6-2 here in December and still finished the campaign empty-handed. But they do look better equipped to challenge.