Manchester United: Amorim explains decision to play Harry Maguire as makeshift striker

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has explained his decision to play Harry Maguire as a makeshift striker in their 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

United lost 1-0 to Champions League-chasing Forest at the City Ground through former player Anthony Elanga’s solo effort but came agonising close to equalising late on as Maguire’s effort was cleared off the line by Murillo.

While a surprise move, the defender did prove a nuisance after managing three shots after coming off the bench in the 88th minute, which was more than Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund managed between them in what is perhaps more of a damning endictment of the two recognised strikers than praise for Maguire.

“In the end of the game, when the opponent is protecting the box, they are comfortable,” Amorim said in his post-match press conference.

“We can reach the final third but we have to put the ball into the box, as it is hard to make the combinations. Harry Maguire, when he is attacking set pieces, is maybe the best player in the team.

“Inside the box, you are not a defender, you are a striker. Put one man who is really good in there to score the goal.”

Murillo denies Man United an equaliser at the death with a goalline clearance 😳👏

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United’s finishing woes

Despite suffering a 13th defeat of the season, it was one of United’s better performances this season after having 23 shots on goal but their problems in finishing off chances were laid bare once again.

“That is clear,” Amorim added. “We created some chances but we could create more with the possession we had.

“We reached the final third a lot of times but we need to be better. It is important to score goals and we have a lack of goals.

“We put Forest in the place they wanted to be. They have fast players in transitions, we pushed forward but in the final third, we were not good enough.”

Amorim rubbishes claims Elanga should have stayed

Elanga, who came through United’s academy before being sold to Forest for £15million, enjoyed a moment to savour after running 85 metres to slot the winner home on the conter-attack against his former side.

His goal and United’s forward players’

“We are talking about lot of front players that come from Manchester United and they are doing right. But they had the chance here,” Amorim said.

“In here at Manchester United you don’t have the time. I am saying all the time, I will not have the time. We have to get it right – fast.

“But you are not talking about players that didn’t play for Manchester United. They were here playing for Manchester United. In here, the pressure is too big sometimes, and sometimes you don’t have time.

“You should have time for these kids to develop. But for that you need a strong base to support all these kids. If you don’t have that strong base, we are not going to help our kids.

“So they had their chances and sometimes football is like that, and the pressure of playing for Manchester United is really big.”