Manchester United target delivers emphatic response amid speculation over future

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Real Madrid defender Rafael Varane has insisted that he wants to stay with the Spanish giants and has no intention of leaving this summer.

The French international was forced to miss Euro 2016 this summer through injury, but has continued his recovery and is preparing for the International Champions Cup in pre-season.

However, his future has remained a topic of discussion in the media, with interest from Manchester United continuing to suggest that he could yet leave the Bernabeu, as noted by Marca.

In contrast, an exit is the last thing on Varane’s mind, as he revealed that he is focused on staying in the Spanish capital and taking his game to the next level.

“I want to stay here this year, I feel loved by the fans who want the best for me, and the best is yet to come,” the defender told Marca.

“I hope to be allowed to start afresh- I’d like to push on, to continue improving.

“After being at Real for five years, I want to make the next step.”

The 23-year-old went on to insist that he plans on leaving the negativity behind him and will focus on the future, which ultimately starts with forcing his way back into Zinedine Zidane’s starting line-up.

Sergio Ramos and Pepe further established themselves as the first-choice pairing at the heart of the Real defence last season, and Varane will have to try and displace one of the two in order to prove his worth and continue to improve.

Nevertheless, it will be a blow to United if there was truth in their pursuit, with Mourinho arguably still needing defensive reinforcements to compliment what he already has at his disposal.

The Portuguese tactician signed Eric Bailly from Villarreal earlier this summer, but having previously worked with Varane in Madrid, he would have undoubtedly been fully aware of what the French ace could have brought to his squad.