Can Guillermo Varela make the step up and become Manchester United's right-back?

Varela when he signed for Manchester United

2013 was a pretty eventful year for Manchester United. Legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired after 26 years at the helm of the Old Trafford outfit, Everton boss David Moyes began his doomed reign as his countryman’s successor and Ed Woodward took over the role of executive vice-chairman from David Gill.

Marouane Fellaini held the hapless record of becoming Manchester United’s only major signing that summer, Moyes broke numerous unwanted records, United’s fall from grace commenced along with the emergence of a dynamic young winger with a huge future who went by the name of Adnan Januzaj.

However, one thing that slipped everyone’s attention in that madcap year was the arrival of a young Uruguayan right-back with bags of talent named Guillermo Varela. The 20-year-old agreed to move to Old Trafford on a five-year contract after impressing on trial with the Red Devils and officially joined the club on the 11th of June, becoming David Moyes’ first signing as manager of Manchester United in the process.

It wasn’t Moyes that spotted him though, who was still managing Everton when United scouts were watching the player in the 2013 South American Youth Football Championship, where he put in a stellar performance, earning him a trial with the Red Devils.

Has his loan spell given him the much-needed experience?

Many expected him to be given a first-team chance by Louis van Gaal, who put his faith in numerous young players last season, but the youngster earned a shock loan move to Real Madrid’s B team instead. Under the management of none other than Zinedine Zidane, he went on to make 33 appearances for the Castilla and earning rave reviews in the process. Now that he’s back at his parent club and eager for a spot in the first team the question arises as to whether he has what it takes.

I’m well aware of Manchester United’s supposed pursuit of Italian full-back Matteo Darmain, but as is with many transfer stories, we shouldn’t be ready to believe it unless it is completed.

Varela has some obvious talent and as of now needs to show that he can own the right-back spot, with Rafael heading for the exit door and Antonio Valencia expected to play in his original position further up front once again.

The 22-year-old featured in every game of the Under-21’s in his debut season and earned accolades from coach Warren Joyce for his excellent balance between defending and attacking. The praise from Zidane comes as an extra and welcome bonus when it comes to making a case for Varela. One of Varela’s qualities that were praised by the legendary Frenchman was his attitude, which is something that youngsters in football have shown a dearth for in recent times.

Manchester United have never truly found a replacement for the iconic Gary Neville, with Rafael showing a lot of promise but being far too inconsistent and injury prone to make the position his own.

Besides raw talent, the youngster also has the tools that are vital to become a consistent, if not great, right-back. The next move is Louis Van Gaal’s to decide if he indeed has what is needed to become the future right-back for Manchester United.