Maguire is the man who turnaround from fifth-choice to a certain starter

The irony is unavoidable. Harry Maguire, the man whose career at Manchester United was brought to a shuddering halt by Erik ten Hag, is the man the manager has turned to save his job.

It’s funny how things work out. Not that it will make any odds to Maguire. Regardless of how he might feel about the way the Dutchman has treated him over the past 18 months, the 30-year-old’s overriding priority has simply been to play.

He adores playing for England and losing the United captaincy and his place in the starting XI has thrown his role under Gareth Southgate into intense scrutiny. How can you pick, let alone start, a player if they aren’t featuring for their club?

It is a question with which Southgate has battled. But on Thursday, when the England head coach names his latest squad, he can select Maguire happy in the knowledge that he will not be required to justify his decision for the umpteenth time.

Because Maguire is back. He was imperious on Saturday as United — through Bruno Fernandes’s 91st-minute winner — clinched a crucial victory to alleviate the concerns over under-fire Ten Hag’s management.

And all after Maguire was checked for signs of concussion twice following a hefty blow to the head inside the opening three minutes.

It was a massive win for a squad and a manager under intense scrutiny. Goalkeeper Andre Onana was asked after the match about the pressure on the squad and replied: ‘You just have to be prepared when you play for Manchester United.

‘It is the price to pay when you are playing for such a big club. We showed a lot of character and I am happy. We are together. The celebrations say everything.’

Maguire has more to celebrate than anyone else. Ten Hag has never needed convincing of the fundamentals of