Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag will be hugely impressed with the efforts of his squad members at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with a wealth of his players earning plaudits.

Indeed, the likes of Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes were all exceptional, earning Man of the Match awards and giving their Dutch manager plenty of optimism ahead of the second stage of the campaign.

But it is the performances throughout the tournament of Harry Maguire that might evoke the most confidence in Ten Hag, who will be positively delighted with his £80m centre-back's displays, following intense scrutiny in his standards for the Red Devils for some time now.

Having played 153 games for the Old Trafford faithful since his lucrative move from Leicester City, Maguire has often been signalled out for criticism.

The centre-back, who often gets lamented for his lack of pace and positioning during some of United's heavier defeats across the past few years, can now use the foundation to underpin his efforts for the Red Devils going forwards.

As per Sofascore, the 29-year-old recorded an average rating of 7.34 while in Qatar - bettered only by Bukayo Saka in the England squad - and his contribution was crucial, with his 1.4 tackles and 3.6 clearances per outing a defining part behind the three clean sheets England kept as they narrowly lost out to France in the quarter-finals.

And having completed 100% of his dribbles (0.4 per match), and winning 68% of his duels (5.2 per match), the former Foxes man encapsulated the traits that Ten Hag requires for his robust United team.

Channelling such performances can reignite the fire in Maguire's belly, and prompt him to maintain levels as domestic football kicks off once again.

With United currently sitting in fifth place in the Premier League, having conceded 20 goals after 14 games, Maguire will indeed need to up the gear regarding his performances, serving as an insurmountable bedrock that repels opposing forwards with ease.

In fact, having played just nine times for United this term, starting only three Premier League matches, the 53-cap England international will certainly hope that his efforts on the major stage have earned another shot at a central role in his manager's plans.

That being said, as per Sofascore, the £25.7m-rated defender has recorded a rating of 7.0 across his four appearances in the league this term, with two poor performances against Brentford and Arsenal eclipsed by a fantastic recent showing against West Ham United, where the colossus recorded a rating of 7.9 making a whopping eight clearances and blocking three shots on the way to a valuable clean sheet to partner a well-earned victory.

His collective performances will need to improve, that is unquestionable, but Maguire is on the path to redemption following a brilliant World Cup campaign, he just needs to maintain it.