Harry Maguire is Manchester United's 'spiritual leader', insists Ian Ladyman

Ian Ladyman has described Harry Maguire as Manchester United's 'spiritual leader' and lumped praise on the defender for his resolve fighting his way back into Erik ten Hag's side on Mail Sport's It's All Kicking Off podcast.

The defender was stripped of the captain's armband by the Dutch manager over the summer with the club seemingly intent to move on the player they purchased in 2019.

But amid a slew of squad injuries, Maguire was able to fight for a spot in the starting XI and has become a regular fixture under Ten Hag this season, distinguishing himself in United's backline during a difficult campaign.

Briefly set back by injury in December, Maguire returned to action against West Ham at the start of the month before helping Man United snatch a 2-1 victory against rivals for Europe Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Both Mail Sport's Football Editor Ladyman and his podcast co-host Chris Sutton were keen to stress not only how important Maguire has been for United this season, but how resilient the player has been forced to be against a backdrop of criticism for past performances.

Describing him as 'football's renaissance man', Ladyman added that if he 'ever needed a heart transplant', the former club captain's would be first on his list.

'That bloke, what he's been through football-wise, and the way he's come back - to the level that he's come back at - deserves all the praise in the world,' Ladyman said.  'Those two at the back, Maguire and (Andre) Onana, I thought really got United through (against Villa).

'And if they are, to surprise the world, and finish in the top four this season, they're gonna need a bit more of that.'

Sutton added that his co-host had 'nailed' the description of the defender, before continuing: 'I can't