Center-back Raphael Varane is confident with MU against Man City, the FA Cup final at 9pm on June 3, with a plan to prevent Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne.
Raphael Varane assigned to “follow” Erling Haaland?
The red half of the city is determined to prevent Man City from winning the treble, which they did in 1999. Therefore, the FA Cup final tomorrow night is even more awaited.
The winner will both have the second trophy of the season, when MU has won the League Cup and the Blue Man won the impressive Premier League.
Coach Pep Guardiola has only reached the FA Cup final once since taking charge of Man City in 2016 and won. He hopes that will happen again tomorrow, thanks to the squad that is considered the strongest in Europe at the moment.
Preventing the power of Man City will be a big challenge for MU, but Raphael Varane, who will “cling” with Erling Haaland, does not appear to be afraid.
The former Real Madrid midfielder revealed how he and his teammates prepared to prevent the damage of “bombing king” Haaland (52 goals in 51 games for Man City) and De Bruyne’s king of creation:
“We know Erling Haaland is very good but Man City is dangerous in every position. They are very comprehensive.
Haaland has a very good relationship with Kevin de Bruyne, so MU needs to pay close attention. That kind of pass is very difficult to defend. Therefore, we need to find a way to cut the connection between them.
We know we can beat Man City but we need to be consistent for 90 minutes (or even more), knowing that everything can change in a split second.”
MU had to spend 120 minutes when playing Brighton in the semi-final before winning thanks to a penalty shootout. Raphael Varane missed that match due to injury.
Since Lisandro Martinez is still recovering from an injury, it is expected that Varane will play with Victor Lindelof. This duo of central defenders will play an important role in MU’s plan to beat Man City and win the FA Cup after 7 years.
Erling Haaland made a promise to Man City fans
“We know what this game means to the fans. The whole team wants to be proud of the green Man and will try to give it all for that,” Erling Haaland promised firmly to his fans.
The Norwegian striker scored a hat-trick against the Red Devils and provided two assists in Man City’s big 6-3 win at the Etihad in the Premier League this season. But coach Erik ten Hag’s army also won 2-1 in the second leg.
Haaland added: “Man City had a great result in the first leg (against MU) at the Etihad. It was a very special day because it was my first Manchester derby. But we had disappointing results on their pitch. We need another great performance to beat Manchester United.
I would love to play in this (Man City) team, with my teammates. We are a great team, we all share the same ambition and desire to be the best every day.
After celebrating the Premier League title with the fans, we immediately focused on the match against MU.”
The striker set a series of records in his first season in the Premier League with Man City, expressing his ambition to win the treble: “It would be crazy to do that. Man City bought me because of that.
I will do everything to make that happen. It’s my biggest dream and hopefully it will come true.”
But Haaland is also well aware: “It will not be easy. Those are two finals and Man City have to face two strong opponents.
MU will do everything to stop us (winning the treble) and so will Inter.”
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