Why Lisandro Martinez is going to give Harry Maguire his biggest Manchester United challenge

It's less than a week since Harry Maguire was given what felt like an unequivocal vote of confidence from Erik ten Hag, but it already feels like the pressure is building on the Manchester United captain.

The new manager gave his backing to Maguire remaining as captain at the start of the club's pre-season tour, but the imminent £46million arrival of Lisandro Martinez is going to give the 29-year-old his biggest challenge yet to keep hold of his place.

Ten Hag has pushed for the signing of Martinez and clearly rates the 24-year-old, who is a left-footed central defender and will offer balance in the heart of defence. The fact that player and manager know each other so well - and both wanted to work together again - is a threat to Maguire.

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Martinez will add to the competition at United and a quartet of the Argentine, Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof gives Ten Hag plenty of selection options.

The Dutchman wants United to defend with a much higher line this season and to press aggressively and as a result he values excellent one-on-one defenders. For all the concern around Martinez's height at 5ft 9ins, he is an aggressive defender in individual duels and fits Ten Hag's approach.

The new manager might stick with the familiar partnership of Varane and Maguire for the start of the season, especially with the new arrival missing the entire pre-season tour, but they will know that Martinez is breathing down their neck. Varane missed another game through injury on Friday night and Maguire failed to get back to stop Chris Ikonomidis from giving Melbourne Victory the lead.

Maguire certainly needed the fresh start that Ten Hag's arrival has granted. After ended