The defender is a long-term target for the Old Trafford manager but rejected a summer move after discussions with Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane
Raphael Varane has confirmed Manchester United attempted to sign him this summer, admitting it was hard to turn down Jose Mourinho.
The Manchester United manager is understood to be a long-time admirer of the Real Madrid defender, having signed him while in charge at Santiago Bernabeu in 2011 on then-sporting director Zinedine Zidane strong recommendation.
Mourinho embarked on a summer of heavy spending after his Old Trafford appointment, spending over £150 million on Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba, but Varane says he rejected a move after discussions with Zidane.
“Of course, it’s flattering. Manchester United are a very big club. But from the moment when Madrid and I are in sync on my project, there is no questions to ask yourself,” Varane toldCanal+.
“I have always said I feel good in Madrid. It’s not easy to say ‘No’ to Jose Mourinho, but you have to weigh up the pros and the cons. We’re men, we have decisions to make and that’s how it is.”
He added: “It was really that trust [from Zidane], that support which was important for me, and when I was reassured on that point, there was no question of it anymore.”