When Manchester United's squad arrived at Burnley for the first match of the post-Ruben Amorim era on 7 January, the major questions centred around the fitness of skipper Bruno Fernandes and whether interim boss Darren Fletcher would pick Kobbie Mainoo.

Harry Maguire's presence in the travelling party at Turf Moor was something of a surprise.

The 32-year-old had been absent for nine matches with a thigh injury and there had been no real talk of a return.

In reality, Fletcher would only have called on United's one-time skipper in extreme circumstances that night. At that point, Maguire had barely even trained.

But Maguire did feature for 11 minutes four days later as he tried - unsuccessfully -to help rescue an FA Cup third round defeat by Brighton.

Fletcher was doing Michael Carrick a huge favour.

Despite featuring just once in almost three months, it meant when Carrick took charge for the first time for Manchester City's visit to Old Trafford on 17 January, Maguire was wired into the mental demands of starting, even if his new boss admitted afterwards, physically, it was a step into the unknown.

"It was a big ask for H [Maguire]," said Carrick.

"We can take for granted sometimes what players do. I'm not going to lie, it was a bit of a calculated gamble for how long he could play and if he could get through it because he's literally trained for two or three days in probably eight or nine weeks. It just shows you what it means to him."

The 'taking for granted' aspect of Carrick's answer was telling.

The former United and England midfielder knows the sacrifices needed to excel at the very highest levels of the game. He also knows the demands that are placed on players' bodies.

Mental strength is also key.

Beyond his ability, it is the kind of attitude that meant he put himself forward to be involved at Burnley, which makes Maguire so valuable to United.

It is why, as they approach a summer when Casemiro's vast experience is going to be lost, it should be welcomed that multiple sources with an understanding of the situation believe a resolution will eventually be found to Maguire's contractual situation that will allow him to remain at Manchester United at least for next season.

Nothing is agreed yet. Until it is, there remains the potential for Maguire to either agree a deal with another club - which, under freedom of contract regulations, he is entitled to do - or United back away.

But the mood music is upbeat.

Compromise is likely to be needed, on both salary - Maguire is one of United's highest-paid players and Sir Jim Ratcliffe is determined to drive costs down - and maybe contract length.

But through Burnley, Brighton, City and beyond Maguire played for every single minute of the four-match winning streak Carrick started his spell in charge with.

The England defender has shown just how valuable he is at a time when Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined for an indefinite period with a back injury, with no immediate sign of return.

Maguire does not only have experience and calmness. His communication is also crucial. He is demanding of those around him and is not scared to let team-mates know when they have fallen below the standards he expects.

His central defensive partnership with Lisandro Martinez has a familiarity about it too, which is a bit surprising given the pair have only started 16 times together in a two-man central defence since the Argentina international joined the Old Trafford outfit from Ajax in 2022.

The reasons for that are numerous. Amorim's formation for a start. Before that, Erik ten Hag clearly did not feel Maguire was the kind of player he wanted, while Martinez has suffered some pretty hefty injuries.

There is also the knowledge their first two games together were the defeats by Brighton and Brentford that started Ten Hag's reign.

They have won in 11 of the following 14 games they have started though, which suggests keeping them both fit could be the key to United's Champions League qualification quest.

England boss Thomas Tuchel has acknowledged Maguire's recent form, even though the defender won the last of his 64 caps nearly 18 months ago, against the Republic of Ireland in September 2024.

"Back in the picture," is how Tuchel described it at this month's Nations League draw.

Not that many Manchester United fans will be too bothered about that.

For them, England's fortunes come a firm second to their own hopes of an upturn in results.

Maguire probably thinks like that too.

A veteran of England's last three major tournament campaigns, he knows excelling at a club like Manchester United can propel anyone into the international limelight.

There is also a feeling Maguire is happy in his surroundings too, that he is settled with his family in the north-west and has no aching desire to start again somewhere else just yet.

He hasn't spoken about his future much recently. But on current evidence, there is no reason to suggest he has changed his stance from when he spoke to BBC Sport, among others, on a club visit to a football camp in Stretford just after the Premier League campaign had started.

"Obviously I have something in my mind about what I want to do and where I want to be," he said.

"I don't want to put it out there to everybody but it's an amazing club to play for and you'd be silly if you wanted to jump out of it as soon as you could."