Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag is reportedly considering dropping club captain Harry Maguire for Monday's Premier League clash with Liverpool.
The Red Devils have started their 2022-23 campaign with back-to-back defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford, which has left them at the bottom of the table.
Maguire has played the full 90 minutes in both encounters, with Lisandro Martinez starting alongside him.
Martinez found it difficult against Brentford on Saturday, with the summer arrival replaced at the interval, and Raphael Varane put in a strong performance in the second half of the 4-0 defeat to the Bees.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag is expected to recall Varane against Liverpool, with the France international's fitness being carefully monitored early in the season.
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However, rather than Martinez dropping out, the report claims that the Man United head coach is considering dropping Maguire down to the bench.
The England international struggled for long spells of the 2021-22 season and has also found it difficult to show his best form in the early stages of the current campaign.
Maguire was not involved in three of Man United's final five matches at the end of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign, while he started as a substitute against Brighton in the penultimate match of the season.
There had been suggestions that the former Sheffield United youngster would have the captaincy taken away from him this season, but Ten Hag decided to stick with the 29-year-old.
Barcelona are believed to have shown an interest in Maguire earlier this summer, but the defender signalled that he was not willing to discuss a move to Camp Nou.
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Man United are hoping to bring more players to the club before the clash with Liverpool, while Ten Hag will have a big decision to make over Cristiano Ronaldo, should the Portuguese still be at the club next week.
Ronaldo came in for a start against Brentford last time out but found it difficult to make his mark, and he is still said to be determined to secure a move away from Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window.
Luke Shaw's starting role against Jurgen Klopp's side is also under threat due to his struggles in the early stages of the season, with new signing Tyrell Malacia in contention to start on Monday.
Scott McTominay was dropped down to the bench against Brentford, meanwhile, and the Scotland international will now be pushing for a recall, potentially at the expense of Fred, with Christian Eriksen struggling in a deeper position against his former club.
Matt Law
