from the reign of Cantona to the arrival of Varane, a return to the long tradition of the French at Manchester United

After ten years at Real Madrid, Raphaël Varane joined Manchester United on Saturday August 14. Before him, many French people wore the Red Devils jersey, for contrasting results. A look back at thirty years of tradition.

Cantona, the precursor

Arrived in England after a short victorious stint in Leeds, and a long career in Ligue 1 (Auxerre, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes), the legend Cantona still thrills Mancuniens supporters. Landed in 1992, he won the championship in his first season in the red jersey. “King Eric” will offer himself four league titles, two English cups, and one League cup, enough to glean the nickname of “player of the century”. But the name of Eric Cantona also revives an old memory of January 1995. Facing Crystal Palace, the striker landed a masterful kick against an opposing supporter, which earned him a suspension of nearly nine months.

Silvestre and Evra, trophy collectors

Two defenders, two left-handers, ten goals each in just under ten seasons, five English league titles, a Champions League … In short: an XXL record for the two most capped Frenchmen of the Red Devils. Arrived in 1999 at Manchester United, Mikaël Silvestre was part of the great MU, the one who worked on England and Europe for seven seasons. Holder at the left-back position, and sometimes in central defense, Silvestre gives way to Patrice Evra, his youngest of only three years, who also has a golden record with the Red Devils. The former Monaco defender even became the captain of the Mancuniens in 2011.

Barthez and Saha, a mixed experience

Even without crossing paths, the two French people share a mixed experience with the Mancunians. After snatching their starting places and winning two English league titles each, the two players then lose their splendor and are gradually brought closer to the bench. Saha is the victim of repeated injuries that keep him away from the field. For his part, Fabien Barthez bears the brunt of the competition. From 2003, Red Devils coach Alex Ferguson preferred Tim Howard to the goalkeeper position. Fabien Barthez, who until now enjoyed the status of the most expensive goalkeeper in history (80 million francs, the equivalent of 16 million euros), is gradually removed from the cages, or even from the group, before d ‘be loaned, then sold to OM in 2003.

Laurent Blanc, in red to finish in style

World champion with the Blues in 1998, and European champion two years later, Laurent Blanc joined the Red Devils in 2001. Benefiting from the confidence of Sir Alex Ferguson, he played the 2001-2002 season as a starter, and brings MU to third place in the championship. That same year, he discovered the Champions League, and reached the last four of the competition with United, defeated in the semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen.

Martial and Pogba, in difficulty under Mourinho, released under Solskjær

Tensions with Mourinho and a mixed record. The last Frenchman to arrive at Manchester United, Anthony Martial (2015) and Paul Pogba (2016), have often suffered from stormy relations with the coach of the Red Devils, José Mourinho. Arrived in 2016 under the label of prodigy son and most expensive player in the world (105 million euros), Pogba won the Europa League in his first season. But by taking seniority, he attracts the wrath of his coach, who also arrived in 2016.

In a few weeks, “La Pioche” had gone from key player to simple replacement, and had seen his status as vice-captain withdrawn. In 2018, the Portuguese technician finally left United, and left the Red Devils in crisis. José Mourinho replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Pogba finds color. Three years later, the world champion returned to his relations with Mourinho and his management of the workforce, accusing him in particular of “attack the players”, giving them the impression “that they no longer existed”. Same case with Anthony Martial, in difficulty with Mourinho because too irregular, and awakened under the Solskjær era.

Varane, the experience from Madrid to Manchester

At 28, the world champion leaves Real Madrid after a decade spent chasing trophies with the Merengues. Four champions leagues, three championships, a king’s cup, four club world cups … The defender has enough to make the Red Devils dream, eager to fight with Manchester City for the title and to regain the European summits. “The opportunity to come and play in the Premier League was something I couldn’t refuse “ said the French. Absent for the first match of the season against Leeds, the defender will be eagerly awaited on English lawns. “He won everything there is to win but I know he is still determined to succeed. I can’t wait to welcome him to the team “ declared his new trainer Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.

Confirmed with a selfie #MUFC pic.twitter.com/C4cIxYvXNA

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 14, 2021

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