Jamie Redknapp forced to eat his own words after Harry Maguire’s winner vs Liverpool
Manchester United secured a massive 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield to make it back-to-back league wins for Ruben Amorim.
Bryan Mbeumo’s early strike set the tone for a superb away performance from Man United, who executed their game plan to perfection.
Mbeumo’s goal came after Alexis Mac Allister’s head injury in the build-up went unpunished, with many Liverpool fans feeling aggrieved.
United held a one-goal lead until Cody Gakpo’s 78th-minute equaliser threatened to tilt the game in the opposite direction, but it was a bullet header from Harry Maguire six minutes later that secured the visitors all three points.
It was Man United’s first win at Anfield since January 2016, and Maguire’s superb goal proved many doubters wrong in the lead-up to the game.
Jamie Redknapp questioned the decision to start Harry Maguire vs Liverpool
Maguire has often taken some unwarranted criticism during his time at Old Trafford, and that continued on Sunday afternoon.
When Amorim named his team sheet with Maguire starting in the heart of his defence, many questioned that call, including former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the game, Redknapp was ‘surprised’ that Maguire was starting ahead of Leny Yoro, feeling that the Frenchman’s pace was needed to deal with the threat of Alexander Isak.
“I am surprised he is starting. [Leny] Yoro has that extra pace. I can see it with [Matheus] Cunha. He has got that arrogance, he wants the ball and can make things happen,” he said.
“It’s a big decision to play him ahead of [Benjamin] Sesko, but he’s a big player.”
Amorim got every single tactical call spot on, including the decision to start Matheus Cunha ahead of Benjamin Sesko, with his team delivering a complete performance.
Maguire’s incredible stats vs Liverpool
Football Insider understands that Maguire and Man United can agree on a new contract after he was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, and following his incredible winner, supporters will be happy about that news.
The 32-year-old didn’t just score the decisive goal, but he was a colossus in the heart of defence, making vital blocks, winning almost every aerial duel and leading by example.
| Harry Maguire’s stats vs Liverpool |
| 90 minutes played |
| 34 touches |
| 8 clearances |
| 4 recoveries |
| 5/9 aerial duels won |
| 1 blocked shot |
| 1 interception |
Maguire’s experience was vital alongside Matthijs De Ligt and Luke Shaw in the back three, while knowing that his late winner will be played on highlight reels for years to come.