Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has credited the club's recruitment of Real Madrid's Raphael Varane as a statement of intent.
Varane is edging closer to a move to United, after they came to terms with Real for the defender's transfer.
Despite being in the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu, United will pay a reported €41million plus various add-ons for the 28-year old.
Varane will then put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the option of a fifth.
Ferdinand told his Five YouTube channel that he believes Varane is a major coup.
Raphael Varane
"What a signing. There's been talk in the transfer market since it opened up - it must have come from the player," said Ferdinand.
"He must have wanted to leave, and be part of the new Man United way, the project that is going ahead.
"With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signing a new deal, Sancho coming in - the talent they've got there, the ability to play alongside [Harry] Maguire after he did so well at the Euros probably played a part. I just think he sees this as a better project than what he's got at Real Madrid now.
"When you watch him sometimes he almost purrs, he's got that pace, that poise. We've signed a genuine world-class centre back. His list of honours is ridiculous, it's as long as my arm.
"It's a great job by the (recruitment) people at Manchester United. United have been criticised in the past, and rightly so, for dilly-dallying in the market.
"This one they were assertive, they went for their man and they got him. No doubt in my mind, he would have said to Real Madrid 'I need it, I want it, I have to go."
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