Ruben Amorim gives honest opinion on Joshua Zirkzee decision after Harry Maguire's horror miss denies Man Utd last-gasp victory at Liverpool

In the dying moments of United's 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, substitute Zirkzee squared the ball to team-mate Maguire - instead of shooting - but the defender could only fire the ball over the bar from inside the box with the goal at his mercy. Sky Sports pundit Daniel Sturridge accused the Dutchman of "bobbling" the ball to Maguire but head coach Amorim defended the striker's actions.

When asked whether Zirkzee should have shot himself, Amorim told reporters: "For me, I think it was the perfect decision because he can shoot but he put the ball more in the centre. The ball was really slow for Harry to score but sometimes you cannot do it. But Josh made a good decision in my opinion."

Zirkzee has been an easy target for criticism this season after recording just four goals and two assists in 28 appearances since his £36 million (€42.5m/$46m) move from Bologna last summer. But Amorim and United captain Bruno Fernandes are defending the big forward in a bid to get the best out of him.

Amorim's United side, who are 13th in the Premier League, are next in action on January 12 away to Arsenal in the FA Cup third round.