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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr have reportedly shown an interest in signing Manchester United's Raphael Varane as a potential replacement for their center-back Aymeric Laporte.
Varane joined the Red Devils in 2021 after being with Real Madrid for ten years and his current contract expires in June 2024. The Frenchman picked up a muscle injury in United's clash against Chelsea in the Premier League on April 4, missing five games since.
However, according to the Daily Express, manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Raphael Varane is expected to be back on the field again before the end of this season. He also said that there has been no progress on any contract negotiations for the 31-year-old defender.
Varane has scored two goals in 93 appearances so far for the Red Devils and has won one major title with the club - the 2022/23 EFL Cup.
The Manchester United boss has also reportedly confirmed the return of Anthony Martial. The Frenchman has been out since their 3-0 defeat against AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford on December 9. Martial is expected to return in the coming weeks.
Earlier, Erik ten Hag also provided an update about Mason Mount, who missed United's clashes against Coventry City and Sheffield United. He is expected to return this Saturday for the Premier League fixture against Burnley at Old Trafford. The manager said:
"So [we have the] same squad [as against Sheffield United] but apart from Mason Mount. He will return into the squad."
Manchester United are currently sixth in the Premier League with 53 points in 33 matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo's tenure at Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Manchester United in 2003 from Sporting CP and remained with the club until 2009.
During that time, the Portuguese icon bagged three Premier League titles, two Football League Cups, the 2003/04 FA Cup, the 2007 FA Community Shield, the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League, and the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup. He left Old Trafford to join Real Madrid in 2009.
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Manchester United in 2021 and finished the season with 24 goals across all competitions, with 18 of those being in the Premier League. He finished as the third-highest goalscorer in the league behind Golden Boot winners Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min.
However, the Red Devils ended up in sixth place and qualified for the UEFA Europa League, which also resulted in the five-time Ballon d'Or winner being trophyless for the first time since 2010.
Things did not end well between Cristiano Ronaldo and the Premier League giants. His contract was terminated by mutual agreement following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in November, 2023, in which he criticized the club and the manager.
