Raphael Varane is relishing the increased competition for a first-team spot at Manchester United following the capture of Lisandro Martinez - even if his arrival is likely to mean that either he or Harry Maguire will be relegated to the bench.
After weeks of negotiations, United finally struck a deal worth £55.3million with Ajax to bring Martinez to Old Trafford last Sunday. The versatile defender was a key player in the Ajax team that clinched their third Eredivisie title in four years under the guidance of Erik ten Hag last season, and the Dutchman was desperate to bring the 24-year-old to Manchester to help shore up United's defence.
Ten Hag has already dropped a major hint that Martinez will be his first-choice centre-back by moving Maguire away from his preferred role on the left-hand side of defence. Despite being naturally right-footed, Maguire has often been deployed as the left-sided centre-back in a pairing since joining from Leicester City.
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