Chelsea Dragon
Where are they now: Manchester United XI when Raphael Varane made his debut?
All about how the Manchester United XI looked when Raphael Varane made his debut for the club
Raphael Varane just announced his retirement from all forms of professional football. The once-top defender had an injury-plagued career and had seen enough before hanging up his boots at only 31 years of age. His last team was the newly promoted Italian side Como.
He had previously played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Lens and Lens II. The Frenchman, after spending almost 10 years at Real Madrid moved to Manchester in August 2021. His first game for the Red Devils came against the Wolverhampton Wanderers on the 29th of August, 2021. Here is how the starting XI of Manchester United looked when Raphael Varane made his debut.
GK – David de Gea
One of the greatest keepers in the modern EPL era, David de Gea was a part of Manchester United for nearly 13 years. With 415 appearances for them in the Premier League, de Gea left the club in 2023. He was a free agent for a year, before joining Fiorentina in 2024.
RB – Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan-Bissaka remained quite an integral part of Manchester United until his departure in 2024. He now plays for West Ham United.
CB – Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire is still a part of Manchester United, but the English CB doesn’t start as regularly as he used to back in 2021.
LB – Luke Shaw
One of the longest-serving players of Manchester United, Luke Shaw is still a part of the club. However, injuries have always plagued his career, but when he does remain injury-free, the English full-back is almost unstoppable on his day.
CM – Fred
Fred had a hot-and-cold career at Manchester United. At least that’s how the fanbase feels when asked about the Brazilian. Always willing to put a shift in, Fred left it all in the field. After 5 years for the Red Devils, Fred left for Turkish club Fenerbahce and continues to play there.
CM – Paul Pogba
The ever-controversial Paul Pogba was a key part of Manchester United’s midfield plans under then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Frenchman left the club to join Juventus in 2022 before a doping ban pulled the plug on his career until 2027.
CAM – Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has been the most important player for Manchester United ever since his arrival in 2020. Fast-forward 4 years, the Portuguese midfield maestro is still United’s keyman, and is in fact, their captain now.
LW – Jadon Sancho
Things never really worked out for Jadon Sancho at Manchester United. Despite repeated starts under Solskjaer, the Englishman was never able to find form. Following the arrival of Erik ten Hag, the current manager, he fell out of favor with the Dutchman. Hardly getting starts after that, Sancho went to Borussia Dortmund on loan in 2024 January, before moving to Chelsea on loan, later that year, where he currently plays.
RW – Daniel James
The rapid Daniel James was just two days away from making his move to Leeds United. What was a first start for Raphael Varane, was last for the Welshman. He has since played for Fulham (although on loan from Leeds).
ST – Mason Greenwood
2021 was thought of as the year Mason Greenwood would stamp his authority as Manchester United’s main hitman for years to come. Things began to look bright as well. However, a horrid off-the-field incident involving his girlfriend accusing him of sexual abuse with photographic proof put his career to a standstill. The golden boy of Manchester United fell out of favor with the club in no time, and never really found suitors until Getafe got him on loan back in 2023.
In 2024, Greenwood joined the legendary French club Marseille, where he has gotten off to a great start.
Arsenal Dragon
Chelsea Women’s Star Voices Out Against WSL in the Wake of ACL Crisis Following Katie Reid’s Injury
Chelsea midfielder Keira Walsh has issued a powerful call for governing bodies to address the mounting ACL crisis plaguing women’s football after Arsenal teenager Katie Reid became the seventh WSL player to rupture her anterior cruciate ligament this season.
Read More: Ailing Katie Reid Receives Words of Consolation From Arsenal Loanee Suffering From Same Injury
Keira Walsh voices Out Against WSL: “People Higher Up Need to Listen”
Walsh delivered her stark assessment ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League clash, demanding decision-makers take player welfare seriously. “Maybe sometimes we do play too many games in a congested fixture schedule. There’s not enough recovery time,” the 28-year-old stated bluntly. “You can do the research, but ultimately you need to listen to the ones going through it and how we can best find the solutions.”
Teams like Arsenal and Chelsea who advanced deep into last season’s Champions League played over 50 matches throughout the year. With Euro 2025 also taking place during summer, the world’s best players received minimal rest before diving straight back into another grueling campaign.
“Sometimes as players you do worry about it,” Walsh continued. “You still want to play those games. But sometimes people higher up do need to listen to what we’re saying as players.”
Crisis Deepens Across the WSL
Reid’s injury represents a particularly cruel blow for the 19-year-old defender, who had forced her way into Arsenal’s starting lineup ahead of established internationals. Her impressive performances earned Arsenal’s Player of the Month award for September and a first England senior call-up before the training ground injury ended her breakthrough season.
The teenager joins Arsenal teammates Manuela Zinsberger and Michelle Agyemang on the treatment table with season-ending ACL injuries. Liverpool have three players sidelined ~ Marie Höbinger, Sophie Román Haug, and Zara Shaw.
Chelsea’s Kadeisha Buchanan and Brooke Aspin, Everton’s Megan Finnigan and Aurora Galli, plus Manchester City’s Mary Fowler have all suffered ACL ruptures this campaign.
The statistics are harrowing, with seven ACL injuries in just eight weeks of the season. Female footballers are already two to six times more likely than men to suffer ACL injuries, making the current crisis even more alarming.
Read More: Who Is Katie Reid? The 19-Year-Old Arsenal Defender Set for England Debut
Chelsea
Liverpool Women vs. Chelsea Women Player Ratings: Alyssa Thompson Scores Stunner But Record-Breaker Millie Bright Struggles in Damaging Draw
Chelsea Women set a new WSL record with their 34th consecutive match unbeaten streak but dropped crucial points in a frustrating 1-1 draw against Liverpool. Alyssa Thompson’s early stunner was cancelled out by Beata Olsson’s composed finish. The champions now trail Manchester City by three points in the title race.
The Standout Performer:
Alyssa Thompson – 8.5/10 Produced another moment of brilliance with a magnificent ninth-minute goal, collecting Wieke Kaptein’s through ball before cutting inside and curling a sublime effort into the top corner past Faye Kirby.
The American winger constantly threatened Liverpool’s backline with her pace and movement, firing another effort over the bar in the second half before switching flanks to try unlocking the Reds’ stubborn defence. Attempted to turn provider for Erin Cuthbert late on but couldn’t find the breakthrough Chelsea desperately needed. Her third goal of the season demonstrated why she’s become indispensable to Sonia Bompastor’s attack.
Other Notable Performances:
Erin Cuthbert – 7/10 Arguably Chelsea’s best midfielder despite dragging an early effort wide in the opening minute after excellent work from Thompson. Worked tirelessly off the ball throughout, pressing Liverpool’s midfield relentlessly whilst keeping play ticking over in the middle of the park.
Wieke Kaptein – 7/10 Played the perfect pass through for Thompson’s opener, threading the ball into space with precision timing. Solid if unspectacular afterwards as she kept possession moving in midfield, though struggled to create further openings against Liverpool’s organized block.
Keira Walsh – 6.5/10 Kept play ticking over in the middle of the park with her usual composure. Solid if unspectacular performance from the England international, who maintained Chelsea’s possession without unlocking Liverpool’s defence.
Livia Peng – 6/10 Made her WSL debut deputizing for injured Hannah Hampton and came off her line quickly to deny Beata Olsson early on after Millie Bright’s sloppy pass. Could do little to prevent the Liverpool striker’s composed 33rd-minute equalizer when left exposed one-on-one.
Niamh Charles – 6/10 Solid if unspectacular before being replaced by Lauren James as Chelsea pushed for the winner. Provided defensive stability down the left without making significant attacking contributions.
Also read: AI Predicts Upcoming Heated North London Derby Between Arsenal Women and Tottenham Hotspur Women
Chelsea Women travel to St. Helens Stadium on Sunday afternoon with history beckoning, sitting just one match away from setting a new WSL record for the longest unbeaten run. The reigning champions currently match their own 33-game streak, with struggling Liverpool representing the last team to beat them in league competition back in May 2024.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea Women (4-2-3-1): Peng; Carpenter, Bright, Bjorn, Charles; Kaptein, Walsh; Rytting Kaneryd, Cuthbert, Macario; Thompson
Liverpool Women (4-3-3): Kirby; Shimizu, Clark, Fisk, Woodham; Nagano, Kerr; Holland, Kapocs, Enderby; Olsson
Chelsea’s Record-Breaking Run
Sonia Bompastor’s side equalled their 33-game unbeaten mark with last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Arsenal, though the dropped points allowed Manchester City to leapfrog them into first place. Chelsea now sit second, one point behind City with both teams having played eight matches.
The Blues bounced back midweek, demolishing St Polten 6-0 in the Champions League. Catarina Macario and Sam Kerr each grabbed braces, extending Chelsea’s tally to seven points from three European matches. Chelsea have scored 15 league goals already this season, with seven arriving inside the opening 15 minutes.
Captain Millie Bright is set to make her 211th WSL appearance, breaking the league’s all-time appearance record.
Liverpool’s Struggles Continue
Gareth Taylor has endured a torrid start to his first season as Liverpool boss. The Reds have managed just one point from eight league games, leaving them in 11th position.
Liverpool finally claimed their first point last weekend with a 1-1 draw against Brighton. Beata Olsson’s 26th-minute opener had them positioned for victory, only for Brighton to snatch a stoppage-time equaliser. Liverpool have scored just four league goals all season whilst conceding 13 times.
Long-term injuries to Zara Shaw, Marie Hobinger, and Sophie Roman Haug have depleted the squad. Chelsea remain without Kadeisha Buchanan, Brooke Aspin and Mayra Ramirez, while Hannah Hampton faces an extended absence with a quad injury.
Kick-off: 12:00 PM Sunday, November 17th, 2025
Venue: St Helens Stadium
TV and Live Streaming: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football (UK)
Read More: “Not Good Enough”: Renee Slegers Admits Arsenal Women’s Bayern Collapse Was Unacceptable
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