Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is giving serious consideration to dropping captain Harry Maguire for Monday's crucial match against rivals Liverpool.
Maguire started both of United's defeats to Brighton and Brentford at the start of the Premier League season alongside new centre-back partner Lisandro Martinez.
But Ten Hag is now considering dropping the England international for next week's match at Old Trafford, according to the Manchester Evening News.
It is claimed that Ten Hag could start Raphael Varane alongside Martinez for the visit of Liverpool, with the former Real Madrid defender now fully fit after recovering from a knock picked up in pre-season.
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Only a matter of weeks ago, Ten Hag gave Maguire his backing by confirming the defender would keep the club captaincy for the new season despite calls for him to be stripped of the armband.
He also insisted Maguire would be one of his first-choice centre-backs, despite signing Martinez in a £55.3m transfer from Ajax.
"We bring him in to not strengthen the squad, but the team," Ten Hag said of Martinez.
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"Is Maguire a first-choice? I think he is.
"He's proved it in the past but he also has to prove it in the present time and in the future. He has played how many times? Sixty times for England? He is a career that is really impressive and I expect a lot from him.
"But there is also internal competition and that is what a club like Man United needs."
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Both United and Liverpool will be desperate to pick up their first win of the new season on Monday, with Jurgen Klopp's side held to a frustrating draws against Fulham and Crystal Palace in their opening two games.
According to the MEN, United's players feel that Ten Hag's current tactics do not suit their skill set and would prefer a more pragmatic approach against Liverpool next week.
Last season, the Reds thrashed United 5-0 at Old Trafford before inflicting a 4-0 defeat on the Red Devils at Anfield later in the campaign.
Topics: Manchester United, Harry Maguire, Liverpool, Erik Ten Hag, Football, Premier League
Rory O'Callaghan