Before the World Cup began on Sunday, few would have guessed that Harry Maguire would have more plaudits than Lisandro Martinez after the first matchday.
However, Argentina's decision to give Martinez a watching brief vs Saudi Arabia came back to bite them during their shock defeat. Maguire meanwhile shone in England's opener against Iran.
United fans have become accustomed to underwhelming performances from the centre-back but on the big stage Maguire has always delivered. For the Three Lions on Monday he did just that.
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In a centre-back partnership with John Stones, Maguire seemed comfortable. Iran's attacking threats were limited but, when called upon, the 29-year-old showed what he can do.
Without the armband, Maguire seems at ease in defence but perhaps his improved performances are deeper-rooted than that. Speaking in September when the defender was controversially called up to the England squad, Gareth Southgate launched a staunch defence of his defender.
"Whatever reputation I have I’m putting it on there," Southgate explained. "I think, look, you always have to back your judgement and we feel he is an important player.
"Clearly, it’s not an ideal situation [not playing at United]. You want your best players playing regularly so that they’re physically in a good place and mentally in a good place.
"But he is an important player for us. I think it’s important to back our best players.
"I haven’t felt the need to speak to him any differently to the rest of the players. I try and pick up individually with them all, that’s been a bit more complicated this time because we’ve got 28 so I’m getting there.
"Look, he understands that he’s at a big club, big transfer fee and captain of the club so I think that’s why the spotlight has been on him more. But he’s got to and is focused on training well every day and getting himself back in the team."
Credit must go to Maguire for showing no signs of rustiness when featuring for England in the opener. However, the trust Southgate has shown in him has certainly boosted his confidence and outweighed any dips in match sharpness.
Maguire is in the mindset that he cannot let the manager down because Southgate has opted to go against what the majority believes. Erik ten Hag now knows how to get the best out of his captain and seemingly it is as easy as showing trust in him.
The fallacy that he cannot deal with the pressure of big games has now been disproved and following the World Cup, Ten Hag may wish to follow Southgate's lead and rely on the centre-back to deliver.
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