Manchester United are about to realise the importance of Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire missed Manchester United's horrific defeat to rivals Manchester City on Tuesday and his absence was heavily felt within that game. Before the match, fans were stunned and feared the worst when Phil Jones stepped in for the 26-year-old, but this could be a glimpse into the near future for United. A future that is looking bleaker as time goes on.

Now, after losing 3-1 to the champions, it has been reported that the world record signing has suffered a torn hip muscle, which could keep him sidelined for some time.

United have made some horrific mistakes post-Sir Alex Ferguson, with a lot of them coming in the transfer market. But, who would have thought that such a miscalculation would have come from the great man himself in buying Phil Jones? This is a man who had the potential to become one of the club's greatest talents, Ferguson once stated.

Nine years on from putting pen to paper, it can be argued that Jones is fortunate to still even be at the club. A topsy-turvy time in Manchester has seen his potential come crashing down and force him far away from the starting XI.

Now, however, with Chris Smalling out on loan, Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo, Axel Tuanzebe and Harry Maguire out injured, Jones is set to come in as United's man at the back.

Against City in the Carabao Cup, it was the first major game that Maguire has missed domestically.

In truth, because of this, we haven't been able to completely judge the importance of Maguire since the world record fee was exchanged between United and Leicester City. Yes, the Englishman has improved the Red Devils' defence, but, the team are still awfully inconsistent at the back.

Now, we are set to finally realise the importance of Maguire, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has no choice but to bring in his below par backups. City easily exposed United through Jones, and with City, Liverpool, Wolves and both legs of the Europa League against Club Brugge to come before March, Maguire's £80m price tag is about to be very much justified.

Back in August, £80m seemed ridiculous considering this was the same price United sold Cristiano Ronaldo for. Now, we may soon see why Solskjaer splashed so much cash.