Former Manchester United star Raphael Varane could announce his retirement from professional football in the next few hours as his contract with Como is about to be terminated, reports French news portal Le Parisien.

The former French international left the Red Devils as a free agent in the summer and joined the Serie A club, but only played once for them before suffering a knee injury.

Varane will therefore be out for months and is now thinking about ending his football career. An announcement to this effect is expected any moment.

Injuries also prevented the former Real Madrid star from meeting expectations at Man United and ending his career seems to be the most sensible option.

The 31-year-old has won everything for club and country, leaving the Old Trafford club after three seasons with Carabao Cup and FA Cup winners’ medals, having won four UEFA Champions League and three La Liga titles with the Spanish club.

Varane won the FIFA World Cup with France in 2018 and reached the final in 2022. He will go down in history as one of the best central defenders of all time.

He played 95 games for Man United and delivered some incredible performances before the intensity of the English top flight got to him.

Before his departure, Varane was one of the highest-paid players at Old Trafford, earning £340,000 a week, but due to his frequent fitness problems, the club decided against re-signing him.

This has now culminated in his likely decision to retire from professional sport, and he may now decide to move into coaching or as a pundit afterwards.