Erik ten Hag has attempted to instil confidence in an under-fire Harry Maguire by labelling the Manchester United captain as an 'example in training'.
Maguire has started United's last two fixtures, a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, and Thursday's error-ridden 3-0 defeat by Sevilla that eliminated the club from the Europa League.
The Manchester United defender was largely at fault for Sevilla's opening goal in the second-leg quarter-final clash after his back-pass to David de Gea led to Youssef En-Nesyri putting the ball in the back of the net.
Maguire is expected to start Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Brighton and Ten Hag has stressed the Englishman's importance in matches and on the training pitch.
'He has an important role, he is the captain, he leads and he communicates with the manager, motivates the team, he’s the example in the training space.'
Ten Hag's comments contrast the feelings of large swathes of United supporters who slammed the centre-back for his torrid showing in Spain.
Maguire scored an own goal at the end of the first-leg at Old Trafford before enduring an even worse time in the evening heat of the Spanish city.
United fans labelled his efforts as 'terrible' as players were accused of 'bottling' the tie after originally holding a two-goal lead.
Injuries to first-choice centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane mean that the 30-year-old will likely continue to keep his place as there are few other options available at Ten Hag's disposal.
Maguire has made just 28 appearances in all competitions this season and started just 15 of those as Ten Hag frequently placed his club captain on the bench.
However, he he has started three of United's four FA Cup fixtures so far this season as Ten Hag's squad managed to get past Reading, West Ham, and Fulham.
Ten Hag is likely to clear-out large portions of his squad in the summer transfer window and revealed on Thursday that Maguire and other members of his squad are playing for their Old Trafford futures on Sunday.
'I think we always playing for our future as professional players. Every game is a test, every season is a test, you have to earn the right to wear the shirt,' said Ten Hag.
'It’s for me as a manager. We are in the same boat. During the season we make huge progress. We have the experience but we have a way to go.
'A good thing is Sunday is a huge opportunity, semi-final of the FA Cup, a better event you can’t imagine, after that a lot of great games to go, we have to prove it and this group of players has to prove it,' he added.