Raphael Varane says joining Manchester United was always a career goal after turning down Sir Alex Ferguson ten years ago to sign for Real Madrid.

Ferguson may not have signed his man back then but the Frenchman finally arrived at the Theatre of Dreams for £42m this summer.

"It was a special moment for me and my family," Varane told Sky Sports. "It's amazing to meet a person like him at 18. You know, after that, it's your destiny. Ten years in Madrid and now I'm here.

"This is a new challenge for me. A different competition, a different mentality, a different atmosphere. It's all new for me but I've enjoyed every day so far.

"It's a big challenge to get Manchester United back to the top but I feel people want to win, people want to do great things with this club, and that's a big motivation for me.

Varane's move was rather overshadowed by United's sensational swoop for Cristiano Ronaldo but the 28-year-old holds no grudges as he relishes the reunion with his former Madrid team-mate.

"I think he is the best example in the world in terms of work ethic and winning mentality," says Varane, who shared a dressing room with Ronaldo for seven seasons at Real Madrid.

"Playing with this type of player, you improve every day. If he is still playing to such a high level at his age, it's because his work is amazing. I'm very happy to play with him."