Harry Maguire has been warned his place in Man Utd's back four is under threat following the return to form of Eric Bailly.
United's captain has been a permanent fixture in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's starting XI, as Bailly has battled with Victor Lindelof for selection alongside Maguire in defence.
But with both aspiring centre-back partners displaying good form of late, Brown feels Maguire could even be usurped in favour of his teammates in the near future.
“United’s defenders this year have done well," Brown told Stadium Astro . " They started the season badly, with some bad individual mistakes, but since players have started coming back and challenging for positions, I think it has upped everyone’s game a little bit.
“[Alex] Telles coming in has upped Luke Shaw’s game, Bailly coming back and getting a few games has upped Lindelof’s game.
“Harry Maguire you would say starts every game if he is fit, but Eric Bailly now has made it difficult for Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] in the sense that if he keeps on playing like that then he might have to keep him in for a while."
Lindelof was given the nod to start in Sunday's FA Cup tie against Liverpool after Bailly was ruled out with injury.
“It was just a little thing that I didn’t want to risk him," Solskjaer said. "We had cover on the bench and Victor was ready so there was no point on taking a risk with Eric."
Bailly had featured in the Premier League win over Fulham in midweek, where he and Maguire were caught napping to allow Ademola Lookman to score.
Fortunately the duo were bailed out by their teammates, and they now appear to be Solskjaer's first-choice pairing.
What is United's best centre-back partnership? Have your say below.
The Ivorian is expected to be recalled for United's clash at home to Sheffield United on Wednesday, and he admitted to United's official website that his prime focus is on playing regularly again.
“That is very important for me, as before, I’d had comments, difficult moments, but now I’ve come back into the team," Bailly said.
"I am feeling good, train well and I’ll be ready to help the team. I am fit and I want to play."
