Raphael Varane explains Man Utd plan to stop Man City star Erling Haaland in FA Cup final

Raphael Varane has said cutting the connection between Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland could be key to Manchester United’s hopes of winning the FA Cup on Saturday.

The Red Devils meet Manchester City at Wembley with both sides aiming to collect a second piece of silverware this campaign. The Blues head into the clash this weekend as firm favourites, despite United ending the campaign in better form than their rivals.

Haaland’s relentless scoring rate has added a different dimension to City this season, and the Norwegian has formed a devastating partnership with Kevin De Bruyne. The midfielder provided eight assists for Haaland in the league this campaign, a record high in the top flight.

But United managed to suppress that partnership when the teams met in January, and Haaland only had 20 touches all afternoon as United won 2-1 at Old Trafford. Speaking ahead of the first-ever Manchester-derby cup final, Varane admitted that preventing Haaland and De Bruyne linking was part of the pre-match tactics when the sides last locked horns.

“As a defender, [stopping] the connection, especially with De Bruyne, because they have a [link],” the Frenchman explained, when questioned on how he plans to stop Haaland. “That kind of pass is complicated to defend, so we try to cut that connection. We try to stop them earlier and not at the end because sometimes it’s too late. We know we have to be strong as a team.”

Asked if that was key to the league victory over City, Varane replied: “Yes. Part of the plan because they have a lot of connections and can change systems and have a different approach to games. It’s one of the things we have to work on.

“He [Haaland] is a very good player, we all know that, but the danger from City is everywhere,” he added. “They are very complete. They can score from set-plays, from a possession game and from a transition game. We know we have to stop them as a team and collectively as a group.

“Obviously he [Haaland] is one of the very good players they have, but they are strong as a team and we have to respond not to the individual but more to the collective.”