Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could retain Victor Lindelof for the Premier League trip to Aston Villa on Sunday.
Lindelof replaced Harry Maguire in United’s 1-0 Europa League win on Thursday night and was substituted in the 58th minute.
Maguire did not come on until the 82nd minute and played up front as United strove to score the second goal that would have seen them finish top of Group E.
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When asked if Lindelof was now the third-choice centre-back, Ten Hag was non-committal.
“I have to think about it,” Ten Hag said. “I have to see Aston Villa, and it's going to be difficult because we don't know, it's a new manager. So I have to have a look and analyse that team and then we have a choice.
“But, I just said, Licha (Martinez) and Victor, they played really well together over some more games but I think also Licha and Harry on Sunday against West Ham United: also a clean sheet and they also did really well.
“It's a choice I make. When I choose one there is nothing against the other.”
Maguire could enter the World Cup with one Premier League start in the last three months if he is on the bench against Villa and Fulham on Sunday week.
Ten Hag stressed United was his priority. “We have to win as Manchester United, clear, and I hope that we perform well and that the England manager takes as many players as possible from Manchester United, clear.
“They have a really good chance to win the World Cup because they have a really strong squad. So for me, they are one of the favourites for the World Cup, definitely.”
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