Manchester United transfer target Raphael Varane will stay at Real Madrid next season according to Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have seen their chances of playing in the Champions League next season diminish after a torrid run of results.
The Norwegian boss has hinted at a revamp of his playing squad in the summer, with the defence a priority.
Varane hinted earlier in the season that he was leaning toward finding a new club in the summer in order to challenge his ability, but he has now backtracked on that view.
“The positive point of this season finale is that Varane will stay,” Zidane said after Madrid lost 1-0 to relegation threatened Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
“I want the season to end as soon as possible but there are three games left and we have to respect the competition.
“We cannot finish the season giving this image of ourselves.”
The news is a massive boost to Zidane as he looks to see out what has been a terrible season for last season’s Champions League winners.
A Copa del Rey edit was followed by a crushing European defeat to Ajax, as Madrid crawl toward a third-place league finish.
There has been similar disappointment at Old Trafford, with Solskjaer’s fine start turning into a nightmare end to the campaign.
Former club captain Gary Neville has given his thoughts on United’s transfer prospects in the summer, and he isn’t feeling positive.
“I think when players are choosing their clubs they obviously want the team to be competitive, wanting to win trophies and to be in the Champions League,” he said on Sky Sports.
“For Ole Gunnar Solskjaer it will be a really big ask from where they are now to winning the Premier League.
“So if you were choosing between two clubs on a like for like salary basis you might choose other clubs.
“What I think will happen is United are a rich club and have a huge amount of revenue and it will just cost them more.
“They will get players as it is still a huge attraction for players to come and play for a huge club, an amazing club, and it just means it will cost them more to get the players they want.”