Manchester United might need to change Harry Maguire plan after latest snub

Manchester United were already a goal down going into the half-time break on Saturday, when things were about to get even worse.

Raphael Varane made the coaching staff aware of a 'small complaint' he felt against Nottingham Forest, and just three matches into the new campaign, there was no point risking him any further.

The French international was going to be withdrawn, and in his place, Victor Lindelof was selected to come on rather than former club captain Harry Maguire. Lindelof was also chosen to replace Lisandro Martinez when he was withdrawn at half-time of the home win against Wolves.

This was the latest reminder of Erik ten Hag's defensive pecking order and evidence Lindelof is the one trusted to play a prolonged period in the team in either centre-back role, while Maguire is used only as a last resort to offer a physical presence in both boxes to either help keep goals out or to try to nick one at the other end.

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Maguire's half-time snub at the weekend was a reflection of his gradual fall at Old Trafford, though the injury scare for Varane was also evidence of why United would be reluctant to sell him this week.

In an ideal world, United would be able to cash in on Maguire and then reinvest those funds into a new centre-back before Friday's deadline, but they won't be able to do that unless a sale is assured.

It means they are already up against the clock to try and find a suitable replacement and could only have a matter of hours left to sign one if indeed they sell Maguire this week.

Those time constraints also limit who United might be able to buy, given that any selling team will have little time left to buy a replacement of