Rio Ferdinand voices major Harry Maguire concern amid Manchester United improved form

Rio Ferdinand believes that Manchester United captain Harry Maguire will be worried about his position in the England team after being dropped to United bench by manager Erik ten Hag.

Maguire was left out of the starting line-up for the second game in succession on Saturday, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez once again preferred at centre-back for the 1-0 win over Southampton at St Mary's.

The duo also started alongside each other against Liverpool last week — with Varane preferred to Maguire — and formed a promising-looking partnership. Ten Hag's decision to leave out Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo signalled one of first major decisions he has taken since becoming United boss in the summer.

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The England defender found himself under constant scrutiny last season, with many people criticising his personal performances as United finished sixth in the Premier League table. However, Maguire has always maintained the backing of Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate and has 46 caps for his country .

While the 29-year-old has consistently featured for England — playing and starring in the Three Lions' run to the Euros final in the summer of 2021 — former United defender Ferdinand believes his position could now be in jeopardy.

Speaking about Maguire on his Vibe with Five podcast, he suggested that the impressive form of Martinez and Varane could be an issue for the ex Leicester defender.

Ferdinand said: "The centre-back partnership have played two games now and you go ‘woah’, Harry Maguire’s sitting there and scratching his head thinking not even about United, probably thinking United immediately now but he’s looking long-term and thinking