“Please stay” – Manchester United fans urge exit-bound star to change his decision after FA Cup win

Manchester United have won the FA Cup for the thirteenth time. A mercurial display from the Red Devils saw Manchester City humbled at Wembley as goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo secured the victory even as Jeremy Doku’s late effort threatened to spoil the party.

In the end, the 2-1 result ensured that a rather difficult season came to a palatable end for United who have now salvaged a Europa League berth for next season as well. City would have hoped to add the domestic cup to their Premier League victory lap on the weekend but they simply did not put up the performance to deserve it.

Of course, the key difference in this fixture was that for the most part, Erik ten Hag had able and fit options to choose from for his starting lineup. The most important personnel availability in this regard was the defensive duo of Raphael Varane, 31, and Lisandro Martinez, 26, who were paired up for the last time.

The two simply did not permit any City run or shot to go through and the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva were rendered toothless for their creative inputs.

In fact, such was the superiority of that first-half defensive display in particular that fans of United took to X (formerly Twitter) to ask that Varane stay on.

A special way for @raphaelvarane to end his time with @ManUtd ♥️#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/emvY0MAj90

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 25, 2024

A fan urged, “VARANE PLEASE STAY AT MY CLUB.”

VARANE PLEASE STAY AT MY CLUB

— Max🇳🇬🇺🇸 (@the_art_of_7) May 25, 2024

“I don’t care, Varane name your price and stay one more year,” said another.

I don’t care, Varane name your price and stay one more year 🙏🏼

— Emma (@UTDEmma_) May 25, 2024

A third added, “We cannoh replace this Licha x Varane CB pairing.”

We cannoh replace this Licha x Varane CB pairing

— B🥤 (@utdbrxy) May 25, 2024

A fourth fan asked, “Can we give Varane another year?”

Can we give Varane another year? 🥹

— Liban (@LibanLDN) May 25, 2024

The French World Cup winner is a confirmed exit from the side and can proudly claim the League Cup and now the FA Cup to his illustrious list of laurels.

It is understandable why the faithful are keen on retaining someone like him given the selection headache that has plagued the side off late where Casemiro and Jonny Evans found themselves in an unlikely pairing.

Such a result even begs the counterfactual of where United would have ended up if these two defenders had remained injury-free this season.