Jose Mourinho’s hopes of a reunion with Raphael Varane were rebuffed after the defender remained convinced that his future lay with Real Madrid.
The new Manchester United coach made initial contact with one of his former acolytes at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu but a move failed to materialise.
“It was flattering to hear of United’s interest,” Varane told Canal+ France.
“Mourinho is the one who convinced me to come to Real Madrid and [United]) is a great club.
“But from the first moment I knew the project and that [Real] had for me and my role, there were no more questions.”
Varane, whose current contract expires in 2020, insists that he weighed up all aspects of a move to Old Trafford but his role with the European champions was a key factor in rebuffing the approach from former coach Mourinho.
“I’ve always felt happy at Real Madrid,” he added. “I looked at the pros and cons – it was the biggest decision of my career.”
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