Why Raphael Varane had 'McQueen 5' on his shirt before Man Utd vs Leeds
- United kicked off their pre-season vs Leeds
- Raphael Varane wore 'McQueen 5' with Liam Cooper before kick off
- Former Scotland international played for both sides
Manchester United kicked off their pre-season preparations for the 2023/24 campaign with a friendly against Leeds in Norway.
All eyes were on United to see Mason Mount in his first Red Devils appearance since signing from Chelsea in a protracted transfer saga, while there were also starts for Lisandro Martinez, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Amad Diallo and Raphael Varane.
Varane was joined by usual defensive partner Martinez, who missed the end of the last season through injury, and the Frenchman caught the viewer's eye.
Raphael Varane and Liam Cooper's shirts in Man Utd vs Leeds pre-season friendly
For you, Gordon ❤️ pic.twitter.com/exIV1MUQFm
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 12, 2023
Raphael Varane and Liam Cooper, the two captains on the day for Man Utd and Leeds, both wore shirts adorned with 'McQueen 5' on their backs.
A minute's applause was also observed at the Ullevaal Stadion before kick off as an image of McQueen was displayed on the big screen.
Gordon McQueen was a 30-time Scotland international who represented both teams at club level. He would win the First Division with Leeds in 1973/74 under Don Revie before joining the Red Devils in 1978, where he'd pick up the FA Cup in 1983.
McQueen was synonymous with the shirt shirt for both Man Utd and Leeds - he donned the 11 and 12 shirts earlier in his Whites career and took number six on occasion at Old Trafford, but largely took the five jersey.
His move to Manchester made McQueen Britain's most expensive player ever at the time at £495,000. The defender was modern for his time, combining pace with an eagerness to get forward.
McQueen passed away in June at the age of 70. He had been treated for cancer of the larynx in 2011 before being diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2021.
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