Former Manchester United, Real Madrid and France defender Raphael Varane has retired from football at the age of 31.

Varane left for Italian side Como on a free transfer in July, but suffered a knee injury in his debut against Sampdoria last month.

The centre-back says he will remain at the club in a non-playing role.

“I hold myself to the highest standard, I want to come out strong, not just stick to the game,” he wrote on Instagram. “It takes a lot of courage to listen to your heart and your instincts.”

Varane began his career at French side Lens, but played just one season in the first team before moving to Real Madrid in 2011.

He enjoyed a glittering 10-year career in the Spanish capital, winning 18 trophies, including three La Liga titles and four Champions League titles.

The defender moved to Old Trafford in the summer of 2021 for an initial fee of £34million and went on to make 95 appearances in all competitions.

In 2022 he won the Carabao Cup and his final appearance for the club was an FA Cup final victory over rivals Manchester City at Wembley in May.

More to come.