Heavily criticised Man United player proves to Erik ten Hag he can be relied upon after colossal performance against Brentford

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Harry Maguire has certainly been unlucky during the rotten period of injuries that Manchester United have had to endure so far this season.

Manchester United ran out 2-1 winners over Brentford and, naturally, Scott McTominay will be the man to take all the plaudits.

However, another man, who was seemingly out in the cold this summer, has once again proven to be reliable when he has been called upon by Erik ten Hag.

It’s fair to say Harry Maguire has had a tough few years at Manchester United. Hurtful abuse has been hurled in his direction left, right and centre, the majority of it being incredibly harsh or criticising him for things not related to his football ability.

Well, he may be on the way to proving people wrong.

Maguire’s heroics

The English defender was superb against Thomas Frank’s side and it was his colossal header that set up McTominay’s winner to cause sheer bedlam at Old Trafford.

The Englishman charged towards the Scotsman when the goal was scored and his leadership tendencies, despite not being the official club captain, could still be seen.

Maguire could be seen rallying the troops, one would assume he was telling the players to not switch off.

The Englishman, alongside another shock name in Jonny Evans, certainly deserves credit for the class and poise he has brought to that position and he may be finally proving people, and indeed Ten Hag, wrong.

Does he have a future at Old Trafford

As mentioned, the defender has been unlucky because he, too, has had little niggles which has prevented him from nailing down a first-team spot under the Dutch manager.

Well, if the defender puts in performances like against Brentford, then he simply has to be selected and should be the first choice alongside Raphael Varane for the foreseeable, once the Frenchman returns from injury.

Maguire, according to Sofascore, completed 89 per cent of his attempted passes, including 10/12 long balls, and won 100 per cent of his aerial duels in the game.

Whether Maguire will ever be able to convince Ten Hag that he deserves a place in the squad remains to be seen but the former Leicester City defender is seemingly doing all he can to convince the Dutchman.