Manchester United: Ruben Amorim explains Harry Maguire substitution and hints at new role for defender | OneFootball

The central defender was a goal-line clearance away from enjoying a dream return to action

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has suggested that Harry Maguire is the best option up front.

The central defender had been out since the end of February with a calf injury, but was summoned from the bench by Amorim in the second half as the Red Devils searched for an equaliser.

In that period, Maguire managed to have United’s best chances of the game.

Firstly, he could only head the ball well wide from right in front of the goal following Partick Dorgu’s cross. Though, he was maybe unsighted and the ball was slightly behind him.

Then with virtually the final kick off the game, Maguire looked to have scrambled home the equaliser only for Murillo to produce a last-ditch clearance off the line to prevent the goal and earn Forest a valuable three points in their quest for Champions League qualification.

Harry Maguire thought he had equalised for Manchester United in injury time

Getty Images

Speaking to reporters after the game, Amorim explained the thought process behind the substitution whilst also seemingly teasing a new role for Maguire.

"If you look at the game in the final 15 minutes they were defending with six men in the box so we had to get more players in there,” Amorim said. “We cannot get inside the box with the combinations.

"Harry Maguire is really strong on set pieces and when you are in the opposite box you are a striker not a defender. He is maybe the best guy to play inside the box."

United host Manchester City at Old Trafford in the derby this weekend, and it will be interesting to see who Amorim picks to lead the line as both Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund struggled to make an impact against Forest.