As Harry Maguire sat on the bench on Wednesday night – shivering in the mundane Manchester weather – it seemed as if the script for his season had already been printed.
Dropped behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and even Luke Shaw in the pecking order, it felt as if the Manchester United skipper was counting down the days until a summer transfer. Yet Erik ten Hag has other ideas.
Maguire, wearing the armband he’s so dearly missed, was given the nod for United’s clash against Leeds at Elland Road on Sunday. Yet he was deployed at right-centre-back instead of his usual role on the left. It’s a plan Ten Hag has been plotting for weeks.
The United boss doesn’t like playing right-footed defenders at LCB and vice versa, which left Maguire in a bit of a pickle. Ten Hag has been working with the under-pressure defender in recent weeks to transform him into a RCB. It's a subtle, but important, change.
“I’m really happy with Harry Maguire,” said Ten Hag ahead of Sunday’s game. “I think he’s progressing really well and in the games he is playing, he is doing really well. But we have big competition. Harry is right-footed - a big competitor with Rapha Varane.”
Perhaps this was the perfect game for Maguire’s recall. A clash against bitter rivals Leeds – a team Maguire showed his feelings for after scoring at Elland Road last February. A proud Yorkshireman himself, he wouldn’t have needed any extra motivation for this one.
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United required Maguire’s Sheffield steel. The Elland Road crowd were full of themselves as the fiery affair got underway, and the visiting fans could barely be heard from the press box. It had the feel of a derby clash, such is the intensity of this rivalry.
Leeds, under the temporary management of Michael Skubala, were also full of confidence after their unlikely 2-2 draw at Old Trafford the other night. Tyler Adams let Jadon Sancho know his presence early on before Tyrell Malacia was flattened by Weston McKennie.
As Malacia shook off McKennie’s hefty challenge, substitute Martinez went for a light jog down the touchline. He was met with plenty of abuse from Leeds fans, with the odd unsavoury reference to his nationality. Unsurprisingly, Martinez quickly returned to the bench and wasn’t joined by a colleague.
The benefit of starting Maguire became obvious as the first half unfolded. David de Gea, known for his ability to save rather than pass, always gave possession to Maguire at goal kicks. There have never been any doubts over the skipper’s talent with the ball at his feet.
Maguire’s capacity to win headers was another big advantage, as the hosts tried to find Patrick Bamford in the box and make the most of their constant stream of free kicks. United conceded 10 fouls during the first half, much to Ten Hag’s obvious frustration.
Maguire’s display wasn’t perfect. There was a worrying moment during the first half when Jack Harrison snatched the ball off him and sprinted into the free space in behind. Yet Maguire kept up with the pacey winger and regained possession. He deserves credit for the recovery.
United’s poor start to the second half wouldn’t have filled Ten Hag with confidence. That shakiness observed in Maguire during Ralf Rangnick’s ill-fated spell in charge crept back in, with little support in front of him. It was a reminder of how much United need the sureness of Casemiro.
The visitors got back into the game as the second half wore on. Bruno Fernandes made some new friends in West Yorkshire when he went down clutching his face after colliding with Max Wober. They even made a song about Fernandes, although it’s unlikely to be heard at Old Trafford anytime soon.
Ten Hag rejigged the defence around the hour mark, but Maguire wasn’t the man to make way for Martinez. Instead, Malacia – who had a tough afternoon - was hooked and Shaw was pushed to left-back. It was a much-needed vote of confidence for the skipper.
Safe in the knowledge his number wasn’t up, Maguire enjoyed a lengthy drink next to De Gea’s goal while the change unfolded and received a barrage of abuse from the Don Revie Stand. The dialogue can’t be transcribed.
The game hung in the balance until Marcus Rashford found the net in the 80th minute with his second headed-goal against Leeds in a week. Ten Hag was delighted, and so was Dalot. Having been replaced by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the Portuguese defender jumped from the bench in celebration. His heart, and perhaps his long-term future, lies with United.
Then came Alejandro Garnacho’s stunning strike, which put the game to bed and triggered a rush to the exits for home supporters. The only thing left for Maguire to do at that point was to keep a clean sheet, something the defensive unit just about managed. It finished 2-0.
United fans have enjoyed Ten Hag’s first half-season in charge of their club, but it’s been tough for Maguire. For the first time since the start of his spell at Hull – when he was just a youngster – he is no longer a guaranteed pick. On Sunday’s evidence, though, Maguire does have a future at Old Trafford.
