Ruben Amorim shared his thought process in deploying late scorers Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire up front in Manchester United's comeback over Lyon.
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Mainoo thrives in "short space" despite injuriesMaguire "only one who can score a header"Both players provide late goals out of positionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱AFPWHAT HAPPENED?
Mainoo has been struggling for form and fitness since Amorim's arrival at the club, but found his number called when Rasmus Hojlund went down injured in the dying embers of regular time. His manager praised his ability in "short spaces" as the thinking for deploying the midfielder as an auxiliary No.9. The 19-year-old seemed to send the game to penalties with a well taken, curling finish.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The winning moment came from a towering Maguire header. Amorim's reasoning for moving his strapping centre half up top for the last few minutes of the game was more obvious: Maguire's prowess in the air.
WHAT RUBEN AMORIM SAID
Amorim said post-match: "We tried to put Harry Maguire up front because he is the only one who can score a goal with a header. Kobbie Mainoo has a lack of pace in this moment because of injury, but he's really good in short spaces."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?
The Red Devils have set up a Europa League semi-final with Athletic Club, which will begin on May 1 in Bilbao before the return leg a week later.
