Goalscorer Harry Maguire’s gradual rehabilitation gathered further pace when Erik ten Hag partnered him with Raphael Varane as United’s starting centre-half pairing for only the second time since the Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford.
Maguire got the nod over Victor Lindelof having previously fallen so far down ten Hag’s pecking order, even left-back Luke Shaw was shifted into the middle ahead of the £80million man.
On the only other previous occasion Maguire and Varane were allowed to team up, United swept aside Crystal Palace 3-0 in the EFL Cup in September.