Erik ten Hag urged his Manchester United players to take more control of the ball in the second-half of their Europa League win over Real Betis.
26.02.2023 - 01:51 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
When Raphael Varane rises from his plush pillow in his London hotel room this morning the nerves will begin to kick in. For a player who has won the Champions League four times and the World Cup, the Carabao Cup final might be considered a Sunday stroll. But for United's 'soldier' at the back, the butterflies will still be there.
"When it’s special, like a final, you feel different from the moment you wake up in the morning," he said. “You feel the atmosphere change. But that gives you energy - because it’s natural that when you’re scared you run faster!"
Varane has been on fast-forward for a decade now. His first major honour came at 19 when he won La Liga with Real Madrid, and there have been 20 major medals in a decorated career.
READ MORE: 'Only people at the club know' - Rashford on his stunning comeback at Man United
So a Carabao Cup might not take pride of place in his trophy room, but it's about the journey rather than the destination for the 29-year-old. He left Madrid a serial winner 18 months ago and swapped the guarantee of more medals for the challenge of helping to revive a club that had forgotten what it took to win again and again and again.
If United can beat Newcastle at Wembley today it will be their first trophy in six years. It is their first Wembley final in five years and the occasion has a sense of renewal to it. It feels like Erik ten Hag has the club back on track and that this date under the arch is just a stepping stone to even greater glory.
The Premier League drought will reach a decade this season and United didn't qualify for the Champions League last term, but suddenly everything feels possible again and Varane intends to enjoy the journey, having experienced the demands of fighting
Erik ten Hag urged his Manchester United players to take more control of the ball in the second-half of their Europa League win over Real Betis.
Harry Maguire admits he would like to start more matches for Manchester United after he impressed in their victory over Real Betis on Thursday night. United secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a comfortable victory over Real Betis across two legs.
Erik ten Hag has named his starting line-up for the second leg of Manchester United's Europa League last-16 showdown with Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin Stadium this evening, making a handful of changes.
Manchester United head into the second leg of their Europa League knockout tie against Real Betis today with a comfortable lead following a 4-1 win last week.
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Harry Maguire has urged his Manchester United teammates to enjoy the occasion this afternoon as they face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.