VAR CHECK
Raphael Varane pulled out of Man Utd game after ‘potentially fatal’ concussion which left him ‘abnormally fatigued’
He highlighted two specific matches where he was affected
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RAPHAEL VARANE was forced to pull out of a Manchester United game due to a "potentially fatal" concussion.
The French defender has revealed the head injury left him feeling "abnormally fatigued".
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Varane has made 92 appearances for United since signing from Real Madrid in 2021.
However, he has now explained how his career has been impacted by concussion.
The 30-year-old told : "During a match, I performed a series of headers, and in the days that followed I felt abnormal fatigue as well as severe eye fatigue.
"I reported to the staff that I was not fit to play and they strongly recommended that I not play. I took a test from a doctor, the results of which were passed on to the staff and I did not play the following match.
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"But if I hadn't asked to take these tests, I probably would have been lined up a few days later and, to be honest, I felt bad that I didn't play the next game because of a migraine."
Varane also suffered from concussion symptoms during France's 2014 World Cup quarter-final against Germany after a blow to the head in their previous match.
He added: "I wasn't going to miss a World Cup quarter-final because I was a little tired.
"I felt eye fatigue. Looking back, I say to myself: If I had known it was a concussion, would I have said it, even if it meant not playing this match?
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"The staff wondered if I was suitable. I was diminished, but ultimately I played and rather well, even if I lost this duel against [Mats] Hummels [for Germany's winning goal].
"What we will never know is what would have happened if I had taken another impact to the head.
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"When you know that repeated concussions have a potentially fatal effect, you tell yourself that things can go very wrong."
Another heavy blow against Getafe during a 2020 LaLiga clash was followed by two crucial errors against Manchester City the following month.
Reflecting on the Champions League tie, Varane said: "I felt it from the warm-up. I said to myself, 'wake up'. I couldn't concentrate on staying in my match, I was like a spectator.
"The match went badly for me and, with hindsight, I realised it was linked to the shock I had suffered."
City would go on to win the match 2-1 and progress 4-2 on aggregate, with Varane playing the full 90 minutes despite his concerns.
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