Harry Maguire's defensive dominance helps Manchester United to score goals and here is why...

Harry Maguire's Manchester United career has been rejuvenated over the past few seasons, and he has become an important figure for the Red Devils. The £80 million man has played 16 times this season, and he has been crucial for United this campaign.

At the start of the season, huge question marks were raised over Manchester United's defensive ability from set-pieces, whereas now, the side seems to be extremely strong when defending set-pieces. One of those reasons is because of Harry Maguire, and here is why...

Harry Maguire has dominated aerial duels, whether that be from set-pieces or in open play, and Manchester United have benefited in an attacking sense from his defensive actions. In the Red Devils' most recent Premier League match, Maguire's important clearance away which reached Benjamin Šeško, was the first part of the build-up in the Slovenian striker's winning goal against Everton.

While Maguire will not get as much credit as Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo or Cunha, he should be praised for helping to begin the attack with his clearance.

Another occasion this season where Maguire's aerial ability has been important for United was in the Manchester Derby. A free-kick from Manchester City was cleared by Maguire, meeting the feet of Mbeumo, who began the counter-attack leading to United's first goal of the game. Without Maguire's precise header clear to the Cameroon international, United do not hit City on the break and go on to score.

In an attacking set-play, Maguire has also shown to be a threat. He rattled the bar in the Manchester Derby less than five minutes in, showcasing his ability to get above other players and meet the ball.

Against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, he and Luke Shaw had three players marking the duo, which created an overload on the edge of the box. Maguire's ability in the box in particular sees two men mark him, leaving United players free. On this occasion, Mbeumo and Diogo Dalot were free, and Mbeumo scored from the corner routine.

There was also a huge penalty appeal on Maguire, as Micky van de Ven brought the defender down inside the box, without looking at the ball and focusing on the man.

The 32-year-old's only league goal this season saw him head home the winner at Anfield for Manchester United against Liverpool. The Red Devils won 2-1, and it was the first time in nine years that United had won at Anfield. The experienced centre-back managed to judge the flight of the ball better than Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté and scored with a brilliant placed header.

While everyone knows Maguire's superb ability in the air, it seems that his defensive and attacking actions have been more impactful than you think for Manchester United...