When France clash with Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday afternoon, the world will be watching. For one Manchester United defender, the day will end in joy. For the other, it will end in despair. While the focus is likely to be on the battle between Paris Saint-Germain teammates Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, Reds teammates Lisandro Martinez and Raphael will also come up against each other in the showpiece event.
Despite the centre-backs not playing alongside each other on too many occasions - considering that Martinez only joined in the summer, and Varane has suffered with injury troubles this term - the pair have managed to form a solid partnership and looked good in the 10 games that they lined-up together.
The impressive showings of the two defenders meant that club captain Harry Maguire was unable to get into the starting XI before the break, and despite his strong performances for the Three Lions at the tournament in Qatar, the England international is unlikely to start once the domestic season resumes.
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Martinez and Varane played alongside each other regularly in September, which coincided with United's strong form after the disappointing start to the campaign. After securing a 1-0 win over Leicester City on September 1, the duo - who were vital in the Reds keeping a clean sheet - shared their affection for each other.
"Another step in the right direction! Bringing 3 points back to Manchester," Varane wrote on Instagram, alongside a picture of himself celebrating the victory with Martinez, David de Gea and Diogo Dalot.
In response, Martinez wrote: "What a pleasure to play by your side brother."
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand heaped praise on Varane's partnership with Martinez, suggesting that the duo make United a 'different team' when on the pitch together. His comments came after the French centre-back was forced off the pitch just under the 60-minute mark in the Reds' clash with Chelsea on October 22.
It was unclear if the 29-year-old would be fit in time for the World Cup, but the former Real Madrid man was able to prove his fitness and has played a significant role in France reaching the final.
"Martinez has been top this season but Varane gives us that something different, that speed, that experience and physicality," said Ferdinand, speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel. "I think he could be a huge loss.
"You need them two [Varane and Martinez] back together. We've seen straight away that those two together make us a different team, it's as simple as that."
Varane is almost certain to start against Argentina on Sunday, but the identity of his partner is not set in stone. Liverpool ace Ibrahima Konate, who came in for the ill Dayot Upamecano in the semi-final triumph over Morocco, could potentially get the nod, but the Bayern Munich man - if fit and healthy - is expected to return.
Martinez, meanwhile, has played in five games for Argentina, but Lionel Scaloni has regularly changed his line-up and formation throughout the competition, with the United man having to settle for a place among the substitutes on several occasions. While the 24-year-old started the quarter-final triumph over the Netherlands, Nicolas Otamendi and Cristian Romero were preferred for the semi-final win against Croatia.
The former Ajax star has typically only started when Scaloni opts for a three-man defence with wing-backs, and drops out of the side when he plays a 4-3-3 formation. It remains to be seen if Martinez will start at the weekend, but even if he doesn't, there is a chance he will feature - depending on the score, of course.
For either Martinez or Varane, they will return to Carrington a World Cup winner. Yet, with Erik ten Hag's side facing an intense festive fixture schedule, they will both be needed as United look to climb the Premier League table and progress in all of the cup competitions.
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