Varane an unlikely hero on opening day

The centre-back stayed up as the Reds mounted sustained, frenzied pressure for one of the few times in a tight match, and was on the spot to nod in Aaron Wan-Bissaka's inviting assist, following a clever pass by skipper Bruno Fernandes.

Old Trafford erupted and it was only Varane's second goal for the club since joining from Real Madrid, with his other coming against Brentford in May 2022.

This was a seventh home game in succession to start a Premier League campaign and Varane is the first man on the scoresheet in 2023/24 after an own goal by Alexis Mac Allister was our only strike in the reverse to Brighton & Hove Albion last time around.

The Frenchman is not alone in managing some…