Rio Ferdinand has claimed Manchester United's project is a lot more attractive than Real Madrid's is right now, which is why Raphael Varane is swapping clubs.
United have agreed a deal in principle to sign the 28-year-old World Cup-winning defender, and Ferdinand is impressed with the club's ambition and transfer dealings so far this summer.
Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents Five Youtube Channel, Ferdinand was in awe of the Real Madrid defender and claimed Varane was lured to Old Trafford by the project presented to him by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
"What a signing. There's been talk in the transfer market since it opened up - it must have come from the player. He must have wanted to leave, and be part of the new Man United way, the project that's going ahead.
"With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signing a new deal, Sancho coming in - the talent they've got there, the ability to play alongside (Harry) Maguire after he did so well at the Euros probably played a part. I just think he sees this as a better project than what he's got at Real Madrid now."
Ferdinand was full of praise for the French international and claimed Varane was a "world-class" acquisition by the club.
"When you watch him sometimes he almost purrs, he's got that pace, that poise. We've signed a genuine world-class centre back. His list of honours is ridiculous, it's as long as my arm."
The former United defender also praised the club's recruitment staff for their swift business, in contrast to how slowly the club has been known to get deals over the line in recent years.
"It's a great job by the (recruitment) people at Manchester United. United have been criticised in the past, and rightly so, for dilly-dallying in the market.
"This one they were assertive, they went for their man and they got him. No doubt in my mind, he would have said to Real Madrid 'I need it, I want it, I have to go'."
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