Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has posted about ego and mindset on LinkedIn.

The Frenchman, who recently returned to the starting lineup for the Red Devils, was on the bench for several weeks this season.

Varane, who is said to have a poor relationship with boss Erik ten Hag at United, did not make any public complaints during that itme.

His LinkedIn post read: “The journey to the top is something that requires a significant amount of strength. There are so many factors that go into becoming a professional player, and even more to have a successful career.

“In Europe, less than 1% of players who begin in academies as children will make it to professional level.

“The numbers are even smaller when you narrow it down to the amount that play for their countries, and in the Champions League.

“According to Fifa, there are an estimated 130,00 professional players worldwide with 211 Fifa registered nation teams. Based on this, approximately 5275 (4.06%) players play for their country.

“With 32 Champions League registered teams, approximately 800 (0.64%) play in the Champions League - both numbers based on a 25 player squad per team.

“As someone who has played at both levels, I feel extremely lucky to have done so. I also know what is required to get here. A critical element of reaching the top level is making the right decisions for yourself.

“Many of these decisions stem from ego, something that for me is one of the most important things to keep control of, and can give you a better mentality when used correctly.

“In football and in life, I have found that, as long as you have a strong mindset and continue to act on it, you can reach new heights. The accolades and recognition you get are a consequence of the decisions you make.

“If you focus on the process and enjoy the small improvements rather than only focusing on the result, you can always achieve great things."