Man Utd defender Varane: The key to my success this season is...

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane believes his season has been a success so far.

The Frenchman had a very tough first season with the Red Devils, as they struggled under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.

However, he has turned around his United career under Erik ten Hag, getting close to the form he showed for many years at Real Madrid.

"This season is going well because I had a full pre-season. How long has it been since that happened to me?" he said ironically to GQ Magazine.

The last seasons we have always finished later and started earlier. We didn't have time to work physically and we just recovered when we weren't playing. So you can do this for a few seasons.

"But after a while either you have a crash and you are no longer recognised for 6 months or a year in the field, or you get injured. That's what happens to all great players and that's what I want to avoid.

The closer you get to 30, the more you think about it [retirement]. Since I was seven, I have been playing football so inevitably there is a little apprehension but no fear. Like every major decision in life, it requires careful thought and it will be done step by step."