Redknapp calls on Amorim to unleash Europa League hero as surprise striker option

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Former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp believes deploying Maguire up front could be United’s surprise solution

As the woes follow, United sit in 14th place in the Premier League and on course to suffer their lowest ever top-flight points tally, the team had something to celebrate on Thursday after putting in a dramatic comeback against Lyon in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie. In an interesting strategic change, Ruben Amorim pushed Harry Maguire up alongside Kobbie Mainoo for the final minutes of the match, and it worked. Both were able to score and secured United’s place in the semi-finals.

Manchester United appeared to be staring down the barrel of a humiliating Europa League exit, but on one of the most dramatic nights Old Trafford has witnessed, Ruben Amorim’s men produced a stunning turnaround. In just six frantic minutes, they scored three times to level the tie and steal victory just before a penalty shoot-out loomed… capped off by a winning header from the much-trolled Harry Maguire that sent the Theatre of Dreams into a frenzy.

Reacting to the scenes on talkSPORT, Harry Redknapp said he would keep Maguire up front for the rest of the season.

“Do you know what I would do? I’d stick with Harry Maguire up front.”

“I would, I swear. He gets on the end of things, he’s a target. I’d work with him there for the next couple of weeks. They haven’t got anybody. The other boy [Hojlund] can’t score a goal.”

 “I’d get him on diagonals. I’d get people around him. He’d be like a Crouchy [Peter Crouch] or something.”

“He’s unstoppable in the air. We’ve seen it over the years. I think Maguire could do a job short term.”

Redknapp pointed to United’s misfiring forwards as a reason Maguire might actually do a better job leading the line as a No.9. However, despite his remarks, Ruben Amorim made it clear that he doesn’t view Maguire as a long-term option in attack. Still, the United boss admitted he won’t hesitate to push the centre-back forward again if the situation calls for it.

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It’ll be interesting to see if Amorim revisits the Maguire striker tactic later this season, especially with Manchester United set to face Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-finals. With Tottenham and Bodo Glimt battling it out on the other side of the draw, the stage is set for a dramatic finish.