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Cape Town - Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane has confirmed he turned down the advances of Jose Mourinho's Manchester United in the off-season.
While he admits it was flattering to be the subject of the Red Devils' interest, the France international insists he had no doubts about committing to Los Blancos after being assured he was part of Zinedine Zidane's first-team plans.
"Of course it's flattering. Manchester United are a very big club," Varane told Canal Plus. "But from the moment when Madrid and I are in sync on my project, there's no questions to ask yourself.
"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.
"It was really that trust, that support which was important for me, and when I was reassured on that point, there was no question of it any more."
Varane was one of a handful of centre-backs linked with a move to Old Trafford in the recently concluded transfer window, but United ultimately opted to sign Ivory Coast international Eric Bailly from Villarreal.
And it has since emerged that Southampton's Jose Fonte was also targeted by Manchester United, with the Saints reported to have turned down an £8m bid for the Portugal international prior to last Wednesday's transfer deadline.
While he admits it was flattering to be the subject of the Red Devils' interest, the France international insists he had no doubts about committing to Los Blancos after being assured he was part of Zinedine Zidane's first-team plans.
"Of course it's flattering. Manchester United are a very big club," Varane told Canal Plus. "But from the moment when Madrid and I are in sync on my project, there's no questions to ask yourself.
"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.
"It was really that trust, that support which was important for me, and when I was reassured on that point, there was no question of it any more."
Varane was one of a handful of centre-backs linked with a move to Old Trafford in the recently concluded transfer window, but United ultimately opted to sign Ivory Coast international Eric Bailly from Villarreal.
And it has since emerged that Southampton's Jose Fonte was also targeted by Manchester United, with the Saints reported to have turned down an £8m bid for the Portugal international prior to last Wednesday's transfer deadline.
