Steve Bruce has insisted that Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez remain the centre-back pairing best equipped to lead Manchester United's defence this season. The former United captain spoke after the team's 2-0 defeat to Hull City on Saturday, in which the defence was undone twice from set pieces.
Experience over youth
Carrick has four centre-halves available, with Matthijs de Ligt still sidelined with a back injury since last November. Maguire and Martinez emerged as the manager's first-choice pairing last season, starting eight of Carrick's 17 games in charge before injury and suspension disrupted the partnership. Martinez's involvement in the World Cup final for Argentina in July means he is still working his way back to full fitness, with Ayden Heaven starting alongside Maguire against Hull.
Bruce, who formed a formidable partnership with Gary Pallister during Sir Alex Ferguson's first three league title triumphs, believes Maguire and Martinez are still the standout options. Speaking via Free Bets, Bruce told Metro: 'I assumed Carrick would start with the partnership he finished with last season in Maguire and Martinez. They would seem to be the stand out pair.'
Maguire's resilience
Bruce praised Maguire's character and ability, saying: 'Maguire is 33 now, he's had a wonderful career and people have been writing him off for a long time only for him to come back and kick them in the teeth. That's his make-up. He is fantastic in both boxes. He is very good at first contact. If he stays injury-free, he can keep going for another few seasons as he is still a very good player and he is still for me, alongside Martinez, United's first-choice pairing.'
Future in good hands
While Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are regarded as the partnership for the future by staff at Carrington, Bruce has called for patience with the young duo. Yoro, a £52million signing from Lille in 2024, is entering his third season at United and has yet to establish himself as a first-choice option.
Bruce said: 'The younger lads played very well in pre-season, Heaven and Yoro still have an outstanding future. They are only young. You always get better as you get older in that position. I was better at 31 than I was at 21 because of the experience you pick up, the experience of putting yourself in different situations.'
He added: 'I don't think there are many brute centre-halves anymore. The centre-halves of today sometimes get more touches on the ball than anyone else. In my day, it was the midfielders who had the ball all the time. That's where your best ball players are. But the game has evolved and your defenders have to be good with the ball at their feet and I think Heaven and Yoro have that in the locker. For defenders, you really earn your money defending your own box. But I think they have all the ingredients. They have all the modern day requirements.'
