Manchester United fans have called on manager Erik ten Hag to maintain the Raphael Varane-Lisandro Martinez center-back partnership for the foreseeable future following Monday's night's win over Liverpool. The pair delivered a colossal performance to inspire the Red Devils to a 2-1 win over their archnemesis, as they secured their first win of the 2022-2023 Premier League campaign.

Ahead of the final game of Matchday 3, multiple reports from the UK media indicated that United was set to drop Harry Maguire for the meeting with Liverpool. The 29-year-old English defender had proved to be a liability at the back for the Red Devils' in the defeats to Brighton and Brentford and, as a result, Ten Hag was exploring other solutions.

Having been paired together in the training sessions leading to the clash with Liverpool, both Varane and Martinez won over the hearts of the United fans with respective top performances. The former exhibited leadership in a rather young backline which featured Tyrell Malacia and Diogo Dalot in the full-back positions while Martinez gave everything to curb the attacking prowess of the Reds.

Skipper Harry Maguire was an unused substitute and his regular spot in the starting lineup is now said to be under threat. Ahead of Monday's game, Erik ten Hag suggested that the former Leicester City defender's communication and mobility has been suspect so far and that he expects things to improve with the introduction of Varane into the side.

'Varane is a very experienced player, won everything and will bring the communication in the back four,' he said. 'We want mobility and agility in the back four.'

Over the weekend, Maguire was linked with a shock move to Chelsea but nothing concrete as emerged amid the Blues' supposed interest.

Martinez x Varane has to be Manchester United's CB partnership going forward. Both were absolutely phenomenal. Hard to see Harry Maguire get back in. pic.twitter.com/RfP5MtLes3

— UtdFaithfuls (@UtdFaithfuls) August 22, 2022

Difficult to think of a more drastic difference in performances than Martinez's against Brentford and Liverpool. From minute one tonight, he imposed himself. Varane was majestic and Malacia terrific. A gutsy win that's got #mufc fans singing 'We love United, we do' again.

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) August 22, 2022

Manchester united fans watching varane and martinez play in defense after last season of non stop Maguire #MUFC
pic.twitter.com/wzy7x5iGnl

— AB (@AbsoluteBruno) August 22, 2022

Casemiro in front of Lisandro Martinez and Varane is going to be incredible.

— TC (@totalcristiano) August 22, 2022

Martinez and Varane are BY FAR our best defensive partnership. pic.twitter.com/sflZJu28JR

— Breezy (@BreezyUTD) August 22, 2022

To think that was the first time Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have started together - a brilliant pairing on paper and even more so on the pitch, compliment one and other so well. Now put Casemiro in front on them, it turns into a completely different ball game.

— ManUnitedMedia (@ManUnitedMedia) August 22, 2022

Martinez and Varane in the first half pic.twitter.com/LAC3sTvx23

— Larry (@larryryan29) August 22, 2022

Martínez has been excellent at the back and his closing down as been vital. Varane too. Compare to Van Dijk who stood still for Sancho's goal — Milner was telling Van Dijk about it afterwards. He defends passively but decision making matters and he made a poor one.

— UtdArena (@UtdArena) August 22, 2022

Varane and Martinez looks like the perfect combination for the rest of the season

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) August 22, 2022

26 defensive actions between Varane and Lisandro Martinez. Insane.

— TC (@totalcristiano) August 22, 2022

Harry Maguire watching Varane and Martinez deny Liverpool any goals.#3Sports pic.twitter.com/zhMRR09mke

— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) August 22, 2022

Calm and collected Varane, fierce tackler Martinez, speedy and electric Malacia