MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand has claimed Raphael Varane was like a "rabbit in headlights" during his first season at the club.
Ferdinand said swapping Real Madrid for the Red Devils would have come as a huge shock to the French World Cup winner.
Varane struggled for consistency in an injury-hit first campaign at Old Trafford.
The 29-year-old featured in just 22 Premier League games following his £42million switch from the LaLiga giants.
And speaking on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel, Ferdinand reckoned Varane would have found himself in an "alien scenario" when he arrived at Manchester United.
He said: "He went from one team – the honours there tell you it was a functioning team at the top level, all players playing to their maximum consistently – and went into an absolute reverse situation where the team has zero functionality, no confidence, no guidance and no structure of where they're going.
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"He went into an alien scenario where he's going 'I have not seen this since youth team football'.
"To go from that world-class operating and culture and standard on a daily basis to what is at Manchester United is a huge, huge shift."
Ferdinand went on to say that Varane will be well aware that he has not reached the heights expected of a four-time Champions League winner.
He added: "He's probably sitting there like a rabbit in the headlights thinking "wow, what is this?" He hasn't been the player we expected… he would tell you that, he couldn't tell you anything else.
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"He'll be saying 'I've got to up the levels next year. I need help'."
Varane though could end up finding his position in the team under threat under new boss Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils have been linked with centre-backs Jurrien Timber and Pau Torres already this summer.
But the Frenchman will be hoping to kick on next term after having an entire campaign to settle in the North West.
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