Manchester United v Leicester LIVE: Result after Harry Maguire scores offside winner in FA Cup | OneFootball

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Furious Ruud van Nistelrooy condemns 'unthinkable' Harry Maguire offside goal

Manchester United clawed back from a goal down to beat Leicester City in a 2-1 fourth-round FA Cup victory on Friday at Old Trafford, thanks to a last-gasp header from veteran defender Harry Maguire plus a strike from Joshua Zirkzee.

The game appeared to be heading into extra time before Maguire headed in the winner in the 93rd minute from Bruno Fernandes' free kick, seconds before the final whistle. Replays showed he was offside, but VAR is not deployed in the first four rounds of the FA Cup.

The result handed United only their third win in their last eight games at Old Trafford across all competitions.

United were poor in the first half and Leicester capitalised in the 42nd minute when Wilfred Ndidi's shot was blocked by keeper Andre Onana but Bobby De Cordova-Reid was there to head in the rebound from close range.

Zirkzee levelled in the 68th minute when Rasmus Hojlund's effort was blocked by defender Caleb Okoli and the ball fell perfectly for Zirkzee to tap home just three minutes after he entered the game.

Furious Ruud van Nistelrooy condemns ‘unthinkable’ Harry Maguire offside goal

Ruud van Nistelrooy was furious after an "unacceptable" and "unthinkable" error saw Harry Maguire's offside winner stand as Leicester exited the FA Cup at his former club Manchester United.

The Dutchman started the season as one of Erik ten Hag's assistants and stepped up as interim manager, before being let go by Ruben Amorim and swiftly taking up the job as Foxes boss.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid's first-half header had Leicester dreaming of a fourth-round win at Old Trafford, but substitute Joshua Zirkzee levelled after United reacted to being booed off at the break.

Extra time beckoned until Maguire headed home to make it 2-1 deep in stoppage time, sparking bedlam in the stands and fury among the Leicester ranks.

The United defender had clearly strayed offside when the ball was sent over, but VAR is not introduced until the next round.

Furious Ruud van Nistelrooy condemns 'unthinkable' Harry Maguire offside goal

Jamie Braidwood8 February 2025 08:58

Amorim: 'A good result, not a good performance'

And I’ll leave you with Ruben Amorim’s verdict:

"We had to believe until the end but this game has nothing to do with the time of Fergie. I think the performance, we have to do so much better with the ball, without the ball.

"We didn't have any energy in the beginning, especially in the first-half. Then in the second half we played a little bit better, with a little more speed, winning second balls. Then we managed to turn things around so it was a good result not a good performance.

"The coach is the first responsible, when one team doesn't perform, doesn't improve, it is the coach but we are here to do things and to see the game, to study the game and try to improve for the next game.

"I think it's the small things, if you see the games sometimes it's to control the ball, to have the ball, don't give the ball away in the first pressure. It's the small things, it's the big things, it's everything.

"It's this moment, it's hard away but especially at home but we have to cope with that and we will try to do it next game."

Van Nistelrooy and Amorim embrace at full-time (Action Images via Reuters)

Lawrence Ostlere7 February 2025 22:57