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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst

Erik ten Hag praises new Manchester United combination after Lisandro Martinez debut

Erik ten Hag lauded the partnership of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez after Manchester United's final friendly with Rayo Vallecano.

United ended their pre-season schedule with a 1-1 draw against Vallecano at Old Trafford as £55million signing Martinez lined up for the first time since his arrival from Ajax.

Martinez was partnered by Raphael Varane, who captained United, and the 24-year-old played for an hour before he was replaced by Eric Bailly.

Also read: United player ratings vs Vallecano

United backed Ten Hag over the recruitment department with the signing of Martinez when Villarreal defender Pau Torres had been recommended as the prime left-footed centre half to target.

Martinez impressed at Old Trafford and is in contention to make his full debut against Brighton in their opening Premier League fixture on Sunday.

"I think it was a really good combination with Rapha and I think they played really solid and that was good to see," Ten Hag told MUTV. "The question is how do you integrate him, but I think he will integrate quite well into the team."

Harry Maguire is set to start against Brighton, with Victor Lindelof his likely partner after the Swede started in five of the six friendlies.

Maguire missed United's opening friendly against Liverpool in Bangkok through injury but started against Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa in Australia, as well as in the defeat to Atletico Madrid in Oslo.

All of the United players who featured in the loss to Atletico on Saturday were present at Old Trafford for the Vallecano match, with the majority in the directors' box.

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