Varela Hopes For Lengthy Stay At United

Guillermo Varela has the belief to push on become a Manchester United regular after forcing his way into Louis van Gaal's first-team plans.

The Uruguayan defender is hoping to get more minutes in the side with games in the Barclays Premier League, Europa League and Emirates FA Cup on the horizon this month, even if he did limp off with an ankle injury during the Under-21s' 7-0 thrashing of Norwich City at Old Trafford on Monday.

As he now feels adapted to life in England's top division, the full-back is confident he can continue to make his mark in his third year at the club and is targeting a lengthy stay in Manchester.

"The first year was really a period where I was settling in," he told ManUtd.com. "In the second year, I went out on loan [to Castilla] and now I’m back at the club again and the manager has been giving me the chance to show what I can do, so I'm very pleased to be getting this opportunity.

"Right now, I can say that I have adapted 100 per cent to the English game. I’m used to the pace and physicality just now. I think I’ve learned about everything! But I’ve really developed and learned about the physical aspect of my game.

"The football here is very physical in comparison to Uruguay or other parts of the world, where the emphasis is more on technique and tactics. But here you have to battle harder and have more strength when you’re playing and that’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned."

Varela feels his breakthrough last December, making his debut against West Ham United and starting in the Champions League defeat to Wolfsburg, gave him the confidence to step up to the plate.

"It gave me a kind of inner calm to say that I could compete at the level of the Champions League," the 22-year-old said. "Then, I knew I can be here and I can play. After being in the squad a few times and then featuring in a number of games, you start to feel that you are capable of turning out in the starting XI and performing at the level the team requires. But, of course, I need to keep working hard, I can’t start believing that I’ve arrived because that’s clearly not the case.

"It’s all about continuing to work hard and trying to win the confidence of the coach. Firstly, I love being at Manchester United and I’d love to enjoy a long career here and win everything that comes in our path. Then, looking ahead, [playing for] the [Uruguayan] national team of course!"