Raphael Varane explains why Man Utd should be 'confident' heading into 2023/24 season
By Sean Walsh
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has insisted that there is one reason in particular as to why everyone at the club should be 'confident' heading into the 2023/24 season.
The Red Devils have just finished their first season with Erik ten Hag as manager, making great strides in a transitional year.
The Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford off the back of Man Utd's worst season in the Premier League era, and his reign began with humiliating defeats to Brighton and Brentford.
However, Ten Hag quickly won over most of the dressing room - Cristiano Ronaldo departed the club midway through the campaign and this coincided with a stellar run of form - and Man Utd showed substance in addition to style on the pitch, finishing third in the Premier League and reaching two domestic cup finals, winning one of them.
But in an interview with club channels, Varane suggested that Man Utd's ability to go toe-to-toe with the world's best teams should stand them in good stead next season.
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"I think, this season, we showed we can beat any team in the world," Varane said. "So we have to be confident. Not too much, but just enough, because we need to believe. We have to believe because we can do it."
Regarding Man Utd's return to the Champions League, Varane added: "It's very important. I think it's the standard of the club.
"Obviously, the league is very competitive, but that was very important, a big target this season and we achieved it. So I am very happy to be back in the Champions League."
Man Utd's best results in 2022/23
Though Man Utd suffered their fair share of drubbings this season, they also made superb progress in terms of their competitiveness.
Pressure was already mounting on Ten Hag heading into his third match in charge - a home game against rivals Liverpool following their humblings at the hands of Brighton and Brentford.
But the Red Devils managed to beat their Merseyside neighbours 2-1 and this result served as a catalyst for the season ahead.
A couple of weeks later, they ousted league-leaders Arsenal 3-1 at Old Trafford, while arguably their most dominant display against a big-six outfit came in October when they beat Tottenham 2-0 on home soil.
In 2023, Man Utd beat neighbours Man City 2-1 and also eliminated Barcelona from the Europa League 4-3 on aggregate.
Their season peaked with a 2-0 triumph over Newcastle in the final of the Carabao Cup, while they secured their Champions League return by smashing Chelsea 4-1.
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