Raphael Varane explains how Man Utd can stop Erling Haaland & Kevin De Bruyne

Raphael Varane has insisted Manchester United do not ‘fear’ Manchester City and has detailed how the Red Devils can win this Saturday’s FA Cup final.

Pep Guardiola’s side are one third of their way to the treble, while Erik ten Hag’s men will be keen to preserve the Red Devils’ position as the only club to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season.

They are also looking to add a second trophy to their 2022/23 collection having already taken home the Carabao Cup.

In order to beat Man City, Man Utd are likely going to have to keep Erling Haaland quiet. The Norwegian has already scored 52 goals in 51 games in his debut season in England.

Despite their domestic dominance, Man City were beaten 2-1 at Old Trafford in the most recent Manchester derby back in January – a game which Haaland was shut out of almost entirely.

In an interview with the Manchester Evening News, Varane revealed the key to stopping Man City is to keep Haaland and playmaker Kevin De Bruyne quiet.

“Yes, [Haaland] is a very good player, we all know that, but the danger from City is everywhere. They are very complete. They can score from set-plays, from a possession game and from a transition game. We know we have to stop them as a team and collectively as a group,” Varane said.

“As a defender, the connection especially with De Bruyne [that Haaland has], that kind of pass is complicated to defend, so we try to cut that connection. We try to stop them earlier and not at the end because sometimes it’s too late. We know we have to be strong as a team.

“They have a lot of connections and can change systems and have a different approach to games. It’s one of the things we have to work on.

“We know we are able to beat any team. We showed that this season. We know we can beat them but we know they are a good team.

“The approach, we have to learn from the games we played against them and we need a great performance. We have to be consistent for 90 minutes because we know that everything can change in a few seconds.”

When asked if Man Utd ‘fear’ Man City, Varane incredulously replied: “No. Why?

“We have to accept the challenge and to assume the responsibility – the pressure is something we are used to playing with and we need the pressure in our top – it’s not that kind of pressure that limits you.

“When the pressure is higher I’m talking more and shouting on the pitch – you are more connected. When you are free you run faster! So [with] bigger pressure you can give more on the pitch.

“I like to face big challenges. Especially when something looks impossible, it’s when I feel okay, that expectation to do something impossible, what looks impossible.

“When the challenge is big I feel more motivation and that came as a team, we defend very well. City is a team that creates the most chances in a game and that game [in January], the first half was very good, so we have to do this performance to win the cup. And obviously, if we have one chance we have to score. So we have to be efficient.”