Two Manchester United players may benefit from harsh reality this summer

Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford were considered heroes for helping England reach the European Championship final in the summer, but Rashford was left out of the squad just eight months later and Maguire was booed by England supporters.

It has been quite the comedown for the Manchester United pair since that Euro 2020 final defeat against Italy at Wembley. Both players took holidays in Greece after that tournament but pre-season was just around the corner. Maguire reported for United training three weeks after leaving the Wembley dressing room, while Rashford underwent an operation upon his return instead.

Maguire had played more than 4500 minutes of club football the season leading up to the tournament and he received just 21 days rest to get over England's defeat. It was a rushed preparation for Maguire. Although the centre-back was exceptional at Euro 2020 for England, he started the season slow for United — that was no surprise — and then sustained a calf injury against Aston Villa in September.

ALSO READ: 'Absolute joke' - Gareth Southgate slams England fans after Harry Maguire booed at Wembley.

He made his return from the sidelines against Leicester in October but looked well off the pace. Maguire was the worst player on the pitch, unnerved by his former crowd at the King Power Stadium. It was later revealed he had been rushed back from injury. That 4-2 defeat was the beginning of the end for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but it also represents the start of Maguire's confidence crisis.

The 29-year-old hasn't been the same player this season as the one who thwarted attacks for his country in the summer. He's looked ponderous, devoid of confidence and worth a small fraction of the £80m that United paid for him. His