Erik ten Hag drops hint on Manchester United defensive partnership after Lisandro Martinez signing

Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez could be Manchester United's first-choice central defence next season after Erik ten Hag suggested both would be in his strongest team.

Martinez is arriving from Ajax for a fee that could rise to £55.3million and Ten Hag revealed he had wanted to sign a left-footed centre-back this summer after watching United closely last season and analysing issues on that side.

The 24-year-old is set to sign a five-year contract, with the option of a further year, to be reunited with Ten Hag, having worked together at Ajax, and the Dutchman confirmed he is signing Martinez "to not strengthen the squad, but the team".

READ MORE: Ten Hag's stance on Ronaldo's future

"I think we have good players there but I think also that we need a squad that is also good and deep, but I analysed United last year in the left part of the defence," added Ten Hag.

"He is left-footed and that is an advantage in possession and defending. And he also brings a South American spirit, I call it an aggressiveness, control, he can bring spirit to the team and in co-operation with the fans. I think it will fit really good to Manchester United and the way we play."

The possibility of Martinez going straight into the team as the left-sided central defender could have been bad news for Maguire, who spent almost all of last season in that position.

But Maguire's first 45 minutes of pre-season - against Melbourne Victory on Friday night - came on the right and Ten Hag has confirmed he expects his captain to be starting most games.

The new United boss once again backed the 29-year-old as his skipper and he has confirmed his status as a first-team regular, which suggests Raphael Varane might be the odd one out amongst United's three