Harry Maguire’s Surprising Role: Why Ruben Amorim Used Him as a Striker

Manchester United’s Struggles Continue with a 1-0 Loss to Nottingham Forest

Manchester United suffered another disappointing defeat on Tuesday night, losing 1-0 to Nottingham Forest. Former United winger Anthony Elanga scored the only goal in the opening minutes, leaving the Red Devils chasing the game for nearly 90 minutes. In a surprising tactical decision, head coach Ruben Amorim brought on Harry Maguire as an emergency striker late in the match—a move that turned heads but proved statistically effective.

Maguire Outperforms United’s Forwards

As United searched desperately for an equalizer, Maguire was introduced to play alongside Joshua Zirkzee in the final minutes. Despite being a center-back, Maguire ended up creating more goal-scoring opportunities than the team’s actual forwards.

• He registered three shots on target.
• His total expected goals (xG) was 0.59—higher than the combined xG of Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Højlund, and Zirkzee (0.22).
• In just eight minutes, Maguire produced more xG than Højlund had accumulated over his previous nine Premier League games.

This shocking statistic highlights United’s ongoing struggles in attack and raises questions about the effectiveness of their forward line.

Amorim’s Explanation: ‘Inside the Box, You Are Not a Defender’

Addressing his decision after the match, Amorim explained that Nottingham Forest’s deep defensive line left limited options for United to create clear-cut chances.

“When the opponent is just protecting the box, you need a player who can challenge in the air. Harry Maguire is perhaps our best player in the air during set-pieces. In situations like this, it’s not about being a defender or a striker—it’s about having the right presence inside the box.”

The Portuguese manager’s comments suggest that Maguire’s aerial ability made him a better option than his struggling forwards.

Garnacho’s Frustrating Night and Amorim’s Defense

Alejandro Garnacho had a difficult night, failing to convert six attempts on goal and struggling against Forest’s defense. However, Amorim was quick to defend the young Argentine:

“The most important thing is his effort. He tracks back, works hard, and is trying to make a difference. Sometimes his decision-making isn’t perfect, but that’s something every player deals with.”

Despite the manager’s support, Garnacho’s performance underlined United’s attacking inefficiencies—a recurring theme in their season.

What’s Next for United’s Attack?

With United’s strikers struggling to deliver, does Amorim need to rethink his attacking strategy? Should Maguire’s unexpected success as a striker force a change in approach?

What do you think—should Maguire get more chances up front, or is this a sign of deeper attacking problems for Manchester United?