Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has warned newest signing Raphael Varane that the pressure will soon all be on him.
The Frenchman was signed from Real Madrid in a deal worth £43million at the beginning of August.
He was officially unveiled at a packed-out Old Trafford, before The Red Devils’ barnstorming 6-1 victory over fierce rivals Leeds United.
Varane is yet to take to the field for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, and he was on the bench for their 1-1 draw away to Southampton.
However, Neville has fired a warning to the 28-year-old that all eyes will be on him when he eventually makes his debut for The Reds.
“Paul Pogba still intrigues me as to whether he can become the best player in this league, but I want to see how Varane does for Manchester United - I think every fan does,” Neville said while on Sky Sports.
“They’re intrigued to know how this great player, a World Cup winner, Champions League medals, will fare in the Premier League.
“I think they’re just having a look at it, the confidence they have with Maguire and Lindelof, I think they go to that game with Southampton, thinking they can win with the team they have.”
However, with United unable to secure a clean sheet in their opening two matches, many fans are calling for Solskjaer to field the Frenchman.
But, Neville insisted patience should be a virtue to ensure Varane knows exactly what he’s dealing with, before he takes to the field.
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“I think, for me, he {Varane} takes Paul Pogba off the one to watch. Just let him have a look at the Premier League and don’t throw him in too early,” Neville warned.
“I do think that the intrigue, he’s probably been a part of the best partnerships in world football alongside Sergio Ramos, is to see how he partners with Maguire.”
Pogba enjoyed another impressive performance against The Saints.
He grabbed his fifth assist in two games, stretching out and prodding the ball back for Mason Greenwood to fire through Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.
However, Neville believed the best time to judge will be at the end of the season, to see where Pogba’s talent has got The Reds.
“For me, it’s whether Pogba can take United to a title.
“He has started the season well, but the question is, will he go on and become the best player in the Premier League? I think he’s got it in him to do and that’s why I always say he’s one to watch.”
United travel to the Midlands to face dangerous opposition Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Even though Wolves have begun the season with two consecutive 1-0 defeats, Bruno Lage’s side created some golden chances which were scuppered.
With more refined finishing, they very easily could have been one of the only sides to have begun the season with a 100% victory record - United will have to be wary.
