Raphael Varane believes "everything is possible" as Manchester United sparked hopes of a potential title challenge with Saturday's victory over rivals Manchester City.
City have won four of the last five Premier League titles, while United have faltered since legendary manager Alex Ferguson retired, last winning a trophy of any kind in 2017 under Jose Mourinho.
But the arrival of Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford has given the Red Devils renewed hope of bringing back the glory days as they head towards the second half of the campaign as the only English side to remain fighting for silverware on four fronts.
Their 2-1 win on Saturday, having come from behind to beat City after goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, moved them to within a point of Pep Guardiola's side and six points of leaders Arsenal, albeit temporarily.
The Gunners beat rivals Tottenham on Sunday to restore their advantage over Ten Hag's side to nine points, but United's run of five straight Premier League victories is building optimism they can overhaul that deficit and claim a first title since 2012-13.
Arsenal's only Premier League defeat all season came at Old Trafford, and with the sides set to face off again at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Varane did not rule out United making a title charge.
"Everything is possible," said Varane, who won LaLiga three times with former club Real Madrid. "We'll just take it game by game.
"It's a long way to go and it's very difficult. The intensity of every game is incredible, the physical effort. It's like the same intensity of a big Champions [League] game every game. The rhythm is very high.
"The players are very well prepared physically. We know how difficult it is. But we're solid, we're strong. We just need to use the quality players with the ball."
Prior to Sunday's encounter with Mikel Arteta's men, United will first look to continue their winning run at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
FC Halifax back in the play-off places after draw with Oldham
FC Halifax moved back into the play-off places in the National League as Adan George rescued a point in a 2-2 draw at home to Oldham.
The visitors took the lead in the 18th minute through Dan Gardner’s half-volley from a corner before Rob Harker levelled for the home side a minute into first-half stoppage time, smashing the ball home.
Oldham were awarded a penalty when Joe Garner was fouled in the box and Gardner restored Latics’ lead from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, but The Shaymen levelled again in the 72nd minute through substitute George’s smart finish from a narrow angle.
Halifax climb back into the play-off spots on goal difference where they are tied on 68 points with Aldershot, while Oldham remain 10th.
Aldershot move into play-off places with victory at 10-man Gateshead
Kwame Thomas headed Aldershot into the National League play-off places in a 1-0 win away to a Gateshead side who played almost half the match with a defender deputising in goal.
Gateshead had goalkeeper Nathan Harness sent off in the 47th minute for bringing down James Daly outside the box and, with no stopper on the bench, Louis Storey went between the posts for the rest of the night.
Storey made a good save to keep out Cian Harries’ free-kick in the 51st minute, but could do nothing as the visitors took the lead 10 minutes later.
Thomas got on the end of a looping cross from Josh Barrett to head in, and it proved enough for a win that puts them one point above FC Halifax, who host Oldham on Thursday.
Respect the process – Cesc Fabregas committed to long-term plan at striving Como
Cesc Fabregas says Italian club Como must remain committed to their long-term plan even if their progress is expedited by winning promotion to Serie A this season.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder is assistant manager at the lakeside club and, working under Welshman Osian Roberts, has guided them into the automatic promotion positions in Serie B.
They currently have a three-point lead over third-placed Venezia and if they do not falter in their final five games they will return to the top flight of Italian football for the first time since 2003.
The club have been declared bankrupt twice since then, but the 2019 takeover by Indonesian company Djarum Group heralded a new dawn.
They are owners with big ambitions and they sought out advice from people in the game, with Thierry Henry and Fabregas becoming minority shareholders, while former England international Dennis Wise has also acted in an advisory role.
Fabregas is currently earning his full coaching badges and his goals are aligned with the club’s.
Returning to the top tier of Italian football has always been the plan, with further ambitions of titles and European football in the coming years.
But Fabregas insists that will only happen if they “respect the process”.
“We are pushing, we have a clear vision of where we want to go, where we want to get, we know who we are,” he told the PA news agency.
“We know where we are at the moment and we need to respect the process, take the right steps.
“We are working well, people are very dedicated, the owners are investing well and smartly.
“We are all on the same page, evolving every single week to try and create this family, this union, let’s see where we are at the season.”
When Fabregas joined Como as a player in the summer of 2022, it could have been easy to think he was easing into retirement in an idyllic part of the world.
View this post on InstagramBut that would not be fitting with his work ethic and drive, which sees him one day wanting to be a manager in his own right.
“I agree that Como is beautiful but if I am being honest my life is work, home, work, home,” he said.
“Then when I am home I try to be with my family. Even if I was at the end of the world or in another place my life would not change that much.
“Como is beautiful, we appreciate it so much but my job and my life doesn’t change too much.”
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