Rio Ferdinand sends Harry Maguire message after Manchester United win vs Brighton

Rio Ferdinand says he believes Erik ten Hag will choose the central defensive partnership of Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw amid the absence of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.

The duo kept a clean sheet in 120 minutes against Brighton during Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final with Harry Maguire suspended. The United club captain was criticised for his display in Thursday’s 3-0 loss to Sevilla, particularly for his blunder for the opening goal.

The Manchester Evening News understands that Maguire is set to be put on the transfer list this summer having started just 15 matches all campaign. The 30-year-old has dropped further down the pecking order as the term has progressed.

READ MORE: Erik ten Hag praises three players in FA Cup semi-final win

With Maguire having been initially usurped by Martinez, Shaw is now the favoured back-up left-sided centre-back while Lindelof is preferred on the right. The Swede hit the winning spot kick in the penalty shootout win over Brighton after putting in a sterling display at Wembley.

Shaw also impressed amid some hairy moments from the Seagulls attack. Ferdinand believes Ten Hag will prefer Shaw to Maguire when deciding who will partner Lindelof for the next few games despite Sunday being the first time the duo played together.

Speaking on YouTube show FIVE, the former United defender said: “I don’t think he [Ten Hag] changes the team now in terms of the two centre-backs. I think how assured they looked - we weren’t on the ropes at any time.

“There might have been a glimmer for Brighton a couple of times and half sniffs but there wasn’t any panic at the back. [Ten Hag will] go off performance and go off today and I can’t see him changing that pairing unless Varane or Martinez come