Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has three options against Liverpool if he drops captain Harry Maguire

Erik ten Hag is reportedly considering dropping captain Harry Maguire when Manchester United host Liverpool at Old Trafford on Monday night. Maguire has started both of United's Premier League games this season - 2-1 and 4-0 defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford respectively - and Ten Hag looks set to make a change.

Raphael Varane has been waiting in the wings while regaining his full fitness and is now ready to replace Maguire in the Dutchman's defence. Express Sport are going through three partnerships with the centre-back that they could field when looking to stop the Red Devils' disastrous start to their reign against one of Europe's fiercest attacks. /p> Raphael Varane x Lisandro Martinez

If Maguire drops out, Varane is nailed to start in the heart of the defense if he's back fully fit. And although hanging on at half-time at Brentford after being taken on aerial target, Martinez should keep his place alongside the Frenchman.

The £57m star has been the subject of concerns over his height in physical competition like the Premier League. But Ten Hag will want him to settle into his new surroundings as quickly as possible, and there aren't many tougher tests than Liverpool.

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Raphael Varane x Eric Bailly

Victor Lindelof has missed out on a place in the matchday squad for United's first two games of the season. If he is still unavailable after the nine-day gap between Brentford and Liverpool, the door could open for Eric Bailly for a surprise exit.

After his early withdrawal last time out, Martinez could join Maguire in being dropped to form a full-rotation partnership. And the Ivorian could have one last chance to fight for his place in Ten Hag's plans amid growing speculation over his future at Old Trafford.

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It would be surprising to see Bailly given the green light on Varane, given United's stated desire to sell him this summer. However, Lindelof's absence makes Bailly the Red Devils' fourth centre-back, which he could take advantage of on Monday.

The prospect of a hard-hitting duo including Martinez is enticing. Darwin Nunez's suspension is probably among Jurgen Klopp's top three: Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino. The Argentine's height should therefore not prove to be a disadvantage in open play, with his ability to read the game probably being much more important on this occasion.

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