Loan moves characterised his stint at United and he made just four Premier League appearances before ultimately heading back to his previous club. ‌Yet Varela found it difficult to leave the same impression with Ferguson's successors, with David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho all passing him over. The club suspended him and abandoned any intentions to extend his loan, sending him back to Manchester with his career prospects damaged. Following his departure from United in 2017, Varela reconstructed his career throughout Europe and further afield, representing Copenhagen and Dynamo Moscow before signing for Brazilian side Flamengo in 2023. After leaving England, he discovered consistency and international acclaim, collecting 26 caps for the Uruguay national side.

Source: Daily Mirror March 27, 2026 18:19 UTC