It has been a difficult week for Manchester United's Harry Maguire. The centre-back was booed by England fans at Wembley earlier this week and that dominated headlines leading up to United's match against Leicester at Old Trafford on Saturday.
It promised to be the ultimate challenge for Maguire. He's not always appeared to handle criticism well and his every action was set to be under the microscope against his former club.
Maguire failed to rise to that challenge in the reverse fixture at the King Power Stadium. It was his return from injury in that match in October, but he was the worst player on the pitch in United's 4-2 defeat.
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To say much had been made of the booing of Maguire is an understatement. The story almost rivalled Will Smith's outburst directed at Chris Rock at the Oscars for coverage throughout the week.
United fans know more than anyone that Maguire has been well below the required standard this season but they understood the defender needed to receive a warm reception this weekend.
Maguire's arrival at Old Trafford was cheered and that set the tone for the afternoon. That didn't mean Leicester fans weren't going to do their utmost to try and faze Maguire, just like they did back in October. There is clearly no love lost between Maguire and Leicester's travelling contingent for his £80m summer transfer to United three years ago. They certainly made that known.
"F*** off, Maguire, we don't need you, we have Soyuncu," was heard from away section when the teams entered the pitch ahead of kick-off. The United captain didn't flinch and applauded the Stretford End. Maguire knew he needed to do his talking with his performance. All too often have United's players made hallow gestures while underwhelming when it matters this term.
United fans immediately hit back at Leicester's chants. Maguire's first touch of the ball was met with rapturous applause and 'once more than England, world champions twice' drowned out the boisterous Leicester support in the south-east corner.
The opening exchanges failed to match the intensity shown by both sets of fans. United were slow, ponderous and devoid of creativity going forward, which was exacerbated by Ralf Rangick's questionable tactics. The German didn't use a centre-forward against Manchester City and it didn't work at the Etihad yet he went for the same system again on Saturday evening.
It was Albert Einstein that defined insanity as 'doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results'. Marcus Rashford was left on the bench and United had no focal point, no one to break between the lines of defence. The game's rhythm - perhaps lack of - had been set and it was Leicester that looked the better side. United's only chances were fashioned from Leicester's mistakes.
With the game goalless at the break, Maguire's performance was a positive. Leicester fans had failed in their attempts to unnerve the 29-year-old and he had performed well under pressure, unusually playing on the right side of central defence.
"Since I arrived, we have been discussing this because he prefers to play on the left side although he is right-footed," Rangnick said after the match. "I think it's a lot easier for him to play from there." Rangnick's comments suggest the position change could be permanent.
Leicester's opening goal came after Youri Tielemans thwarted United's counter-attack. Paul Pogba didn't get tight enough to James Maddison, who played a delightful ball towards Kelechi Iheanacho before the former City forward headed past David De Gea.
United's clean sheet was gone at that moment, but Maguire performed well throughout the match on an individual basis.
Although it was obviously another disappointing result - the draw might have put an end to their hopes of securing Champions League football - for United, Maguire emerged with credit. He's endured a nightmare season and positives have been hard to find, but he showed the type of character, as he did against Leeds at Elland Road, that proves he can fight for his United career.
United fans also delivered in spades with their support and Maguire will be grateful for their brilliant reception. United supporters have never felt a strong affiliation with England and the chants heard at Old Trafford consolidated that feeling.
It will be far from straightforward, but Maguire might have begun his road to redemption on Saturday.
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