Former Lens teammates feel Real Madrid defender Rapahel Varane should be running around for Manchester United.

Real coach Jose Mourinho believes the youngster will be BETTER than Laurent Blanc and is delighted they were able to beat United last summer for the Frenchman.

Montpellier fullback Henri Bedimo, who played with Varane at Lens, said: "I thought that he would go to Manchester United, but he ended up at Real Madrid. I always knew he would go to a big club.

"To already be playing for Real at his age shows his talent."

United defender Ferdinand recently tweeted on Varane: "I'm enjoying the look of the young central defender for Real Madrid. He is 18 years old, looks good and calm."