Harry Maguire returned to first-team action on Friday afternoon, playing 45 minutes of United’s 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory.
The friendly proved a good workout for the Reds, who initially fell behind after five minutes through a well-worked Christopher Ikonomidis strike. The hosts were pegged back two minutes before half-time when Scot McTominay found an equaliser. Anthony Martial then gave United the lead just before the break.
Erin ten Hag made ten changes at half-time and two of those substitutes, Eric Bailly and Marcus Rashford, combined to extend United's lead with 12 minutes of the game remaining. Melbourne's Edmond Lupancu then converted a Tahith Chong cross into his own net to seal the victory.
Maguire missed Tuesday's 4-0 win over Liverpool in Thailand because of a minor knock but lined up in the heart of Erik ten Hag’s defence at the Melbourne Cricket ground. Upon his return, the United captain put in a composed and solid display, which was crucial.
Although we’re still at the start of pre-season, the England international’s position in the side is under intense scrutiny. He was one of many who suffered a forgettable campaign last season as United accumulated their lowest ever Premier League points tally.
There were many calls for the 29-year-old to be dropped, however, a lack of viable alternatives meant he often managed to maintain his place inside the starting XI.
United’s move for Lisandro Martinez changes the landscape in this regard though, especially considering the Argentine’s favour to play on the left side of the defence, which is the position Maguire has played for much of his United career so far.
Interestingly though, for Friday’s clash against Melbourne, Maguire actually started on the right of United’s central defence, partnered by Victor Lindelof. It’s possible that this decision from Ten Hag could drop a hint as to how United’s defence might line up next season.
It suggests that Martinez could be set to be the first choice on the left of the defence, with United’s captain set to battle Lindelof and Raphael Varane for the position on the right, and that’s a decision that on the surface makes perfect sense.
Martinez is naturally left-footed, while Maguire is right-footed. The Ajax man also boasts important physical traits that are lacking in United’s other defenders. For example, he’s got excellent pace, meaning he’s well suited to playing in a high defensive line, something that Ten Hag will look to deploy at United next season.
Given the club is parting with £42million plus add-ons to sign him, it was always likely that Martinez was going to play an important role in the United side this season, however Friday’s game was the biggest indication yet of just how big of a role he could have.
