After injuring his ankle against Aston Villa in early May, it was always going to be a struggle for Manchester United to keep control of their defensive unit throughout the remaining five matches.

Most disappointingly of all, the Europa League final in which they lost on penalties to Villarreal, Manchester United never got started. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s players were clearly lacking a leader at the back in Maguire, who also has a huge part to play in bringing the ball out from the back and into midfield.

Countless times this season has the England centre back driven with the ball at his feet into midfield and beyond, looking for runners off him and to get the Red Devils on the front foot. Maguire has been labelled as ‘cumbersome’ before, but he is anything but.

As a ball-playing centre half, he is agile and incredibly comfortable in taking the ball forward – which is one of his best qualities.

While the season has ended for Solskjaer and Manchester United, England’s European adventure is just around the corner, with Gareth Southgate sweating over the fitness of Maguire.

It is likely that the England manager opts for a back four in defence, with Maguire being absolutely pivotal in commanding it and, again, playing forward to allow the Three Lions to play on the front foot.

John Stones, who will be Maguire’s partner, needs a strong leader next to him to play his best football – as seen this season at Man City where he has enjoyed a blossoming relationship with Portugal’s Ruben Dias.

England have ample opportunity to move out of the group and into the later rounds of the European Championships, but Maguire’s importance to the team cannot be understated. Just as if Harry Kane was missing from the attacking quartet, Maguire’s potential admission is a huge blow for the defensive rigidity of the team.

With such a quick turnaround from club football to England duty, Southgate will be hoping that Maguire can recovery incredibly swiftly. The Englishman has played 52 times this season for the Red Devils, plus a further six with the Three Lions, which explains why he would be more prone to an injury.

The ex-Leicester City centre half has shown his resilience and ability to play twice a week for most of the season, which is why Solskjaer made him captain of the club at the beginning of the season. Maguire’s leadership qualities have filtered through to the national team having worn the armband for the first time against the Republic of Ireland.

The next few weeks will be hugely important to ascertain Maguire’s fitness levels, but for Southgate and the England fans, they will be on their knees hoping the Manchester United defender can be present.