Ruben Amorim has new Man Utd must-have who was told to leave under Erik ten Hag

If Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho's snubs didn't grab the headlines during Manchester United's incredible win over Manchester City on Sunday, Amad did. However, Ruben Amorim has found a new fixture at the other end of the pitch as part of one of football's great renaissances.

You would have to work hard to remember a player who withstood such a level of ridicule as Harry Maguire.

United's number 5 was stripped of the captaincy, lost his place in the England squad and had his every step on the pitch scrutinized by online bullies and error-hungry haters.

And yet he is still standing. In fact, he was so dominant in United's 2-1 triumph at the Etihad Stadium that he made Erling Haaland look like a minnow.

Maguire is designed to be the centerpiece of a three-at-the-back system. He has a history of thriving in such an environment for England, becoming a fixture under Gareth Southgate's reign.

And the 31-year-old will move closer to similar status at Old Trafford if he can build on the momentum generated against City.

United did not sniff out the hosts, apart from when Kevin De Bruyne and Josko Gvardiol exposed their weaknesses in defense to open the scoring.

Maguire – stationed between Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez – made five interceptions, three clearances, a block and won three tackles.

He also won all four of his ground duels – and six of eight duels overall – and maintained a 92 percent passing accuracy.

Amorim also has Leny Yoro, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans in defense, and the Portuguese tactician has also used Noussair Mazraoui at the back.

But he will be tempted to stick with a defense that has limited the ailing Premier League champions to no big chances and three shots on goal in almost 100 minutes of football.

It's time for Maguire to get a contract extension, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season. United have the option to stay for another 12 months, but will want a longer-term stay.

His departure has been the subject of discussion for a prolonged period and the Red Devils agreed a £30m deal with West Ham United last year.

Maguire was often asked to leave the club to play more football. Earlier this year, club icon Dwight Yorke described a summer exit as “easy” as Erik ten Hag eyed a new centre-back signing.

“Harry Maguire might see things differently, and he has a right to, but his respect in the dressing room would have diminished,” Yorke said.

But Maguire's character and resilience once again proved his doubters wrong and significantly increased his stock. Another coach might be about to rely on him regularly.