I am happy with my defence now - No hope for Maguire as Ten Hag fine with Martinez/Varane partnership

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire could spend further time on the bench at Old Trafford following the discovery of a new centre-back partnership.

Maguire has been named on the substitutes bench for two matches in a row, failing to see any minutes in Manchester United's victories over Liverpool and Southampton.

In his place, the Manchester United manager has preferred new signing Lisandro Martinez to partner Raphael Varane in the centre of defence.

Maguire had started Manchester United's first two Premier League matches of the 2022/23 season with the Red Devils conceding six goals in two matches against Brighton and Brentford.

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However, after Saturday's 1-0 away victory at Southampton, Erik Ten Hag confirmed that he was impressed with the back four that played against the Saints.

As reported by Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag said on United's defence against Southampton: "I think we defend as a team, I was quite happy with most of it, I saw room for improvement.

"The back four was a real unit with David de Gea, togetherness, but also the two in front, Scott [McTominay] and [Christian] Eriksen, did that really well. It’s a team performance."

Former Real Madrid player Casemiro also made his debut for Manchester United, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute in place of Anthony Elanga.

Ten Hag noted that the Brazilian is fit and ready to slot into the United team immediately since he had a good pre-season at Madrid and is now integrating with his new teammates at United.

"It was quite good for him to see the Premier League, it’s a different style. He has now a pre-season, he has played some games, he played one time 90 minutes, he is fit," said Ten Hag about Casemiro's debut.

"He had a good pre-season with a lot of training sessions, we have to integrate him in a team and a way of playing and integrate him with his teammates."

Manchester United are in action again on Thursday, September 1 when they visit Leicester City at the King Power Stadium with a third consecutive victory on the cards for a rejuvenated Ten Hag side.