Raphael Varane has spoken about his developing relationship with Harry Maguire as the pair look to lead Manchester United back to the top.
The French defender moved to Old Trafford in the summer following a decade at Real Madrid.
There he won a host of domestic honours, four Champions Leagues and the World Cup with Les Blues.
His signing was a major coup, especially given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's desire to add a new centre-half in the summer.
Maguire was a major investment back in 2019 and finding a partner to compliment him had long been an aim.
Varane insists the pair will need time together to form the sort of partnership he enjoyed with Sergio Ramos in Madrid.
The Frenchman's attributes seem to compliment those of his English counterpart which bodes well for United.
Varane though is looking to take the whole club's defensive unit up a notch as he seeks to further his partnerships with the other centre-halves.
"He (Maguire) is a top player. On the field we are still working to get to know each other better," the United new boy told Norwegian broadcaster TV2..
"We try to talk to each other so that we can understand each other even better, and in that way coordinate our movements and our positioning. This applies not only to me and Harry, but to the entire defence.
"It is understandable that we need some time for things to become automated, but it will happen because the defence consists of quality players who have qualities that complement each other.
"I think gradually we will develop a better understanding and a better partnership, which in turn will lead to us being able to perform and compete at our maximum level."
United are aiming to end a trophy drought that dates back to the 2017 Europa League final.
Solskjaer has invested heavily in the summer and is under pressure to deliver.
Varane made his debut for United in the 1-0 win at Wolves and also played in the success at West Ham.
He was the unlucky man to get in the way of Said Benrahma's strike which deflected off him and into the net.
Nevertheless, his early showings have been promising which could leave Victor Lindelof resigned to the bench for much of the year.
Eric Bailly is also an option but looks to have been pushed further down the pecking order.
Following Varane's arrival in Manchester Maguire said: “He’s an exceptional player and he’s proven that over numerous years now and with the trophies he’s won.
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“He’s a real leader, a winner and to bring him into our defensive unit is really important for options and for competition to make everyone around him improve.
Varane has been keen to emphasise the need for time, although expectations at United may not afford him as much as he'd like.
On his relationship with Ramos, he said: “With Sergio Ramos I had 10 years to know him and how he moved and how I have to move to be complementary with him,” added Raphael.
“Every day we learn and every day we will do better and improve.”
Last term United conceded 44 times in the league - considerably more than they did in Solskjaer's first full season.
The addition of Varane will look to address that flaw whilst he also brings with him a winning experience that is sorely lacking in the dressing room.
Of the XI that started on Sunday, since the start of the 2018 season, only Varane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes have won a major club honour.
If United are to bridge the gap to Manchester City, Chelsea and co they will need players of the ilk of Varane.
