Former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Rafael Varane has announced shock decision to quit football.

Raphael Varane announced on Tuesday he will leave Manchester United at the end of the season when his contract expires following a three-year spell at Old Trafford.

Raphael Varane has been ruled out for "a few weeks" as Manchester United's injury issues pile up ahead of their Premier League trip to Arsenal

Manchester United survived an onslaught from Wolves and huge claims for a late penalty to start the Premier League season with a 1-0 win thanks to Raphael Varane's header on Monday

"Lisandro Martinez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after fracturing a metatarsal bone in his foot," Manchester United said in a statement.

The Manchester United defender made his France debut in 2013 and won 93 caps for Les Bleus. He had been in the running to take over as captain following the retirement of Hugo Lloris last month.

Karim Benzema has been struggling with a thigh problem while Raphael Varane is recovering from a leg injury

Manchester United and France defender Rafael Varane, reacting to Cristiano Ronaldo's explosive interview with Piers Morgan, said that he is trying to keep himself as distant from the controversy as possible.

France coach Didier Deschamps included Raphael Varane in his World Cup squad on Wednesday despite the defender's recent injury problems, while 36-year-old striker Olivier Giroud was also called up

Varane, who has suffered several long-term injury absences during his career, adds to France coach Didier Deschamps' headaches ahead of his naming his squad for the finals in Qatar on November 9.