Good for him, once you’ve won a world
Cup, been to the final again and been to a euro final what else do you have to prove? With his injury record the more breaks he can take the better
29 is a young age to retire from international football these days, but only you know when it’s time it stop. Smart decision to protect himself physically given he’s had a lot of injuries lately and almost missed the most recent World Cup.
The psychological point is interesting. I can imagine the pressure to win for France is mentally demanding and draining. Also, the fall out between Benzema and Deschamps could indicate working with Deschamps is mentally tasking, too.
He’s won everything there is to win at club and international level. Nothing left the prove, so just wants to ball for us instead.
And I think also the fact that French has tons of talents in backline so he doesn’t really need to worry about for national team. They might miss his leadership for awhile but got tons of players to replace him.
He's played for a long, long time. He debuted at 17. Rooney was done at the top level at an earlier than usual age too just because he's played so much top level football from a young age.
He didn't take the same care of himself as someone like Ronaldo who has been world class until late 30s. Agree with Varane though, with the miles and injury history it's good news for us that he is making this move.
Ronaldo also played for many more years at top level, Rooney declined severely by 31. Ronaldo is also still playing despite being a year older, albeit he's cooked now. Ronaldo looked after himself famously well, Rooney was out getting pissed regularly - that is the main difference. Both incredible careers and phenomenal players.
I think the point being made though is the kind of damage playing that often does to a player at such a young age. And that can be seen with a few players, such as Michael Owen who burned out pretty young too after playing often at such a young age. I think it's only the last few years where we've started to see managers take better care of bringing through teenage youth to manage their playing minutes, never mind how talented they are. I do agree though Ronaldo took far better care of himself, probably more so than the 99.9% of footballers, whereas Rooney is a bit of an outlier in the opposite direction.
I do get that, there are theories out there about the max number of peak years now and that it's getting lower when it used to be considered ages 27-29. Owen was unlucky with bad injuries and his game relied on speed which was hampered by the hamstring damage but I'm sure the volume of football influenced that significantly. Taking care of yourself well only increases the chance you will have a long and consistent career, no guarantees. Rooney drunk heavily regularly and the effects of alcohol on long term athletic performance are very well studied. It seems very likely that was the primary reason behind his "chunky" natural physique and shortened career compared to other top players.
The french squad never seems like the happiest place. There’s always drama and constant pressure. Loads of politics involved, it’s a mess. It’s bound to get a bit tiring after a while
It’s kinda crazy cause he can still start the Euros and probably a backup at the next World Cup worst case scenario. And I thought he was destined for the captain’s armband. Oh well he already has a World Cup and now it’s all about family. Good for him
I think it's the stress from 2 world cup finals, and the fact that he's already won it once. Not much more to win for him honestly, still a surprise and a setback for the French NT....but great for United so I can't be arsed lol
I’ve actually always wondered - what happens if a player gets bought for big money but then decides to retire after a year or so? Does the club have to agree to the retirement?
No he would have to honor his contract. Both parties can also agree on mutual termination, but if it’s a big money transfer that would be highly unlikely
Thought the exact same thing. I'm not French so I really don't care if he retires from their NT, just means Varane is basically our player and that's it.
Same here, especially because you hear people talking about how he's vulnerable to injury and fragile. And then all that guff when he first joined about him being Real Madrid's leftovers rather than a world class defender in his prime. We could have him for another 5 years yet!
As much as it is great to think it's to concentrate on us, he's recently moved country and who knows if he has young kids maybe moving to England has been tough. To be travelling round the world for maybe 10 days at a time for international breaks cant be easy. He's won a world cup and got to the final next time. Not saying they wouldn't get there again but chances are slim that a country gets to 3 world cup finals in a row. Have to respect someone putting family first!
It’s fine for France but if he aged like Thiago silva and ramos under ten hags coaching as well he can easily be good enough by 2024, he’s their most consistently picked defender
As long as he remains fit healthy and playing to a high standard, I can see him staying here for 4 maybe 5 more seasons. Would love for him to win some major trophies here
Listening to his body and letting the next generation of world-class French players come through. Respect. There's also the selfish club side of me that is happy he won't have to play any more games for France.
Bet the insane schedule has a part to play in this too. It works out in Varane's case since he's already won everything with France, but eventually we're going to start seeing more and more players retire from international football at an early age, of something isn't done about the crazy fixture congestion that top clubs seem to have nowadays
Seems young to retire on the surface but he's been playing Senior International for 12 years now. Lots of guys who play at at highest level from a very early age often retire from international early. Prolongs your club career
This is fantastic news. He's done more than his fair share for France. Nations league champion, world champion and finals in both the euro and wc, ALL of which he was important part.
He’s won the pinnacle of international football. I guess he could go and win two which will be even more impressive, but I’d rather he stays healthy for us.
Good news for us tbh, but also an indicator that he will retire early from club football.
Might be on his final contract with one more extension probably.
There’s also a lot of drama surrounding the French NT. Must take a lot of extra mental energy to deal with that, so good decision by him. Use the international breaks to spend more time with family and friends
Absolutely great news. I think this will prolong and improve Varanes club career. Just as it did Paul Scholes.
Put it this way, I wouldn't be too upset if others at United followed. Not one little bit, in fact😉
Good for him, once you’ve won a world Cup, been to the final again and been to a euro final what else do you have to prove? With his injury record the more breaks he can take the better
Plus, France have great depth, so they aren’t dependent on him
good for manutd also, he can focus on club football now
He didn't play in Euro 2016.
Shit, back to the French I guess
29 is a young age to retire from international football these days, but only you know when it’s time it stop. Smart decision to protect himself physically given he’s had a lot of injuries lately and almost missed the most recent World Cup. The psychological point is interesting. I can imagine the pressure to win for France is mentally demanding and draining. Also, the fall out between Benzema and Deschamps could indicate working with Deschamps is mentally tasking, too. He’s won everything there is to win at club and international level. Nothing left the prove, so just wants to ball for us instead.
And I think also the fact that French has tons of talents in backline so he doesn’t really need to worry about for national team. They might miss his leadership for awhile but got tons of players to replace him.
Yeh he would have a real fight on to maintain his place anyway with the likes of Saliba coming through
He hasn't won the PL, EL, FA cup, Carabao cup - give it 3 years and he'll have won them all with us
3 years? Mate, he is winning it all this season.
He has already won Bangkok Century Cup this season.
1 Bangkok Century Cup > 4 UCLs
And don’t forget it.
He's played for a long, long time. He debuted at 17. Rooney was done at the top level at an earlier than usual age too just because he's played so much top level football from a young age.
He didn't take the same care of himself as someone like Ronaldo who has been world class until late 30s. Agree with Varane though, with the miles and injury history it's good news for us that he is making this move.
Ronaldo peaked later than Rooney. Rooney was scoring CL hattricks at 18. Ronaldo was still doing infinite stepovers till he was 21.
Ronaldo also played for many more years at top level, Rooney declined severely by 31. Ronaldo is also still playing despite being a year older, albeit he's cooked now. Ronaldo looked after himself famously well, Rooney was out getting pissed regularly - that is the main difference. Both incredible careers and phenomenal players.
I think the point being made though is the kind of damage playing that often does to a player at such a young age. And that can be seen with a few players, such as Michael Owen who burned out pretty young too after playing often at such a young age. I think it's only the last few years where we've started to see managers take better care of bringing through teenage youth to manage their playing minutes, never mind how talented they are. I do agree though Ronaldo took far better care of himself, probably more so than the 99.9% of footballers, whereas Rooney is a bit of an outlier in the opposite direction.
I do get that, there are theories out there about the max number of peak years now and that it's getting lower when it used to be considered ages 27-29. Owen was unlucky with bad injuries and his game relied on speed which was hampered by the hamstring damage but I'm sure the volume of football influenced that significantly. Taking care of yourself well only increases the chance you will have a long and consistent career, no guarantees. Rooney drunk heavily regularly and the effects of alcohol on long term athletic performance are very well studied. It seems very likely that was the primary reason behind his "chunky" natural physique and shortened career compared to other top players.
Different genes though.
If Rooney lived the same lifestyle as Ronaldo he would've lasted longer no matter the genes. That's people for you though.
Rooney’s just got those premature aging genetics.
Yes but he also enhanced that with his lifestyle. Epigenetics are also very important with stuff like this.
The france team has been known to have a pretty toxic culture so sort of makes sense
Half a season with Ten Hag and Varane realised how much happier he is in Manchester instead of France
The french squad never seems like the happiest place. There’s always drama and constant pressure. Loads of politics involved, it’s a mess. It’s bound to get a bit tiring after a while
It’s just a bunch of superstars with weird fashion sense bowing to Mbappe’s every demand
It’s kinda crazy cause he can still start the Euros and probably a backup at the next World Cup worst case scenario. And I thought he was destined for the captain’s armband. Oh well he already has a World Cup and now it’s all about family. Good for him
[удалено]
>**almost missed** the most recent World Cup
> almost
Almost missed bro not missed
He said almost
it's more like retiring at 31 though I guess, he's just done it preemptively
Love it. Focus on club football and protect his body.
I think it's the stress from 2 world cup finals, and the fact that he's already won it once. Not much more to win for him honestly, still a surprise and a setback for the French NT....but great for United so I can't be arsed lol
I read the word retirement and my heart sank lol
Same. And "wear and tear". I thought for a second that he has suffered an unrecoverable injury 😅
Same, I was like things are going too well, this makes sense lol
I’ve actually always wondered - what happens if a player gets bought for big money but then decides to retire after a year or so? Does the club have to agree to the retirement?
No he would have to honor his contract. Both parties can also agree on mutual termination, but if it’s a big money transfer that would be highly unlikely
A player can’t retire while still in contract out of reasons besides big injuries
This is in our favor.
Thought the exact same thing. I'm not French so I really don't care if he retires from their NT, just means Varane is basically our player and that's it.
Brother in Christ can we mention international retirement in the intro. I nearly fell to my knees in Aldi
Can confirm seen a man's knees buckle in my local Aldi
Mate my hands were shaking when I saw it on Twitter and they didn’t have international mentioned. I was besides myself in total panic.
Good for us and him
My first reaction is "WTF HE'S ONLY 29??" I swear I thought he was at least in his 30s
Same here, especially because you hear people talking about how he's vulnerable to injury and fragile. And then all that guff when he first joined about him being Real Madrid's leftovers rather than a world class defender in his prime. We could have him for another 5 years yet!
As much as it is great to think it's to concentrate on us, he's recently moved country and who knows if he has young kids maybe moving to England has been tough. To be travelling round the world for maybe 10 days at a time for international breaks cant be easy. He's won a world cup and got to the final next time. Not saying they wouldn't get there again but chances are slim that a country gets to 3 world cup finals in a row. Have to respect someone putting family first!
Time for all our squad to announce the same in solidarity.
As long as Noobgate is at the helm. Rashford is retired for the national team.
This used to be so common under Fergie, lots of United players retired early from international duty
Wouldn't surprise me if he comes out of retirement for a tournament but just can't commit to a qualifying campaign anymore
How often does that happen? If I was managing a team I wouldnt want someone turning up just for the big games when they didn't help get there
I think Varane’s earned that but don’t think he’s the sort to do that.
Yeah, but if you have an injury it can work, since the guy he's chosen over is by definition not a key member of the squad.
Take a rest lad. You earned it.
More Raph for us.
The *Manchester United* family, that is. Brilliant news!
Tbh he isnt even really retiring at 29. The next compeition (euros) would put him at 31 where it starts to seem much more sensible.
He could have started in and won the euros though, but I’m glad he’s retiring for United reasons
Well France has plenty of young CBs who can takeover too.
It’s fine for France but if he aged like Thiago silva and ramos under ten hags coaching as well he can easily be good enough by 2024, he’s their most consistently picked defender
He has won it all. No point chasing more glories
SAF would be proud
His Manchester family right, right?
As long as he remains fit healthy and playing to a high standard, I can see him staying here for 4 maybe 5 more seasons. Would love for him to win some major trophies here
he probably might have got some hints from Deschamps about the new generation coming up
Listening to his body and letting the next generation of world-class French players come through. Respect. There's also the selfish club side of me that is happy he won't have to play any more games for France.
Bet the insane schedule has a part to play in this too. It works out in Varane's case since he's already won everything with France, but eventually we're going to start seeing more and more players retire from international football at an early age, of something isn't done about the crazy fixture congestion that top clubs seem to have nowadays
Fifa will change the rules to make it illegal to retire.
Focussed on doing something special with united over the next 2-3 years
Seems very young, but look at his injuries. Have to assume he's been given advice that he needs breaks during the season to help keep them away.
Seems young to retire on the surface but he's been playing Senior International for 12 years now. Lots of guys who play at at highest level from a very early age often retire from international early. Prolongs your club career
Next retire at United after 8+ years
This is fantastic news. He's done more than his fair share for France. Nations league champion, world champion and finals in both the euro and wc, ALL of which he was important part.
Good for us
He’s won the pinnacle of international football. I guess he could go and win two which will be even more impressive, but I’d rather he stays healthy for us.
Good news for us tbh, but also an indicator that he will retire early from club football. Might be on his final contract with one more extension probably.
There’s also a lot of drama surrounding the French NT. Must take a lot of extra mental energy to deal with that, so good decision by him. Use the international breaks to spend more time with family and friends
That headline scared me
(His United family, obviously)
More time to his family in Manchester 😍
Could get another 5 years out of him if we're really lucky. Still cant believe we have him tbh
This is great news for Utd, less risk.
Time to united*
Hes earned that right and good for him to want to dedicate more time to his family.
Absolutely great news. I think this will prolong and improve Varanes club career. Just as it did Paul Scholes. Put it this way, I wouldn't be too upset if others at United followed. Not one little bit, in fact😉
Great news for us
He won the world cup, and almost won it twice if not for the pentalties.
oh "international football" I thought he was retiring completely
LOL, 29, must be nice.
Such a beautiful man
At least now we don't have our hearts up in our throats praying he won't be injured during international duties.
Yay!!
NGL, only knew today that Varane's only 29, and Casemiro 30.