An Absolute Mockery!’ – Harry Maguire’s Last-Minute Winner Sparks Outrage as Fans Slam Manchester Utd for Scoring ‘The Most Offside Goal in Football History’ in Controversial FA Cup Showdown Against Leicester
In a match that will be remembered for its dramatic conclusion, Manchester United edged past Leicester City with a 2-1 victory in the FA Cup fourth round. The game, held at Old Trafford, was decided by a last-minute header from Harry Maguire—a goal mired in controversy due to its apparent offside position.
A Tale of Two Halves
The first half saw a lackluster performance from Manchester United, with Leicester City capitalizing on their sluggishness. Just before the halftime whistle, Bobby De Cordova-Reid pounced on a rebound to nod the visitors into the lead. United’s defense was caught flat-footed, and the home crowd’s frustration was palpable.
After the break, United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, made tactical adjustments, introducing Alejandro Garnacho, who injected much-needed energy into the side. This change paid dividends in the 68th minute when Joshua Zirkzee, fresh off the bench, tapped in the equalizer after a scramble in the box.
The Controversial Climax
As the match seemed destined for extra time, a free-kick in the 93rd minute provided the stage for the game’s most contentious moment. Bruno Fernandes delivered a pinpoint cross into the area, where Harry Maguire rose to head home the winner against his former club.
However, replays clearly showed that Maguire was in an offside position when the ball was played. Due to the absence of VAR in this round of the FA Cup, the goal stood, leading to outrage among Leicester players and fans alike.
Reactions and Fallout
Leicester City’s manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy, did not mince words in his post-match interview. “We are not defeated in Fergie time; we are defeated in offside time,” he remarked, highlighting the clear officiating error that denied his team a fair shot at extra time. He emphasized that such mistakes are “unthinkable and unacceptable” at this level of competition.
On the other hand, Ruben Amorim acknowledged his Manchester United team’s fortune, admitting that the performance was below par and that they were “lucky with the late decision.” He stressed the importance of VAR for fairness in the game, recognizing the harshness of losing in such a manner.
The VAR Debate Rekindled
This incident has reignited the debate over the implementation of VAR in all rounds of the FA Cup. Currently, VAR is only utilized from the fifth round onwards, a policy designed to ensure uniformity across all fixtures.
However, as this match demonstrated, the absence of VAR can lead to significant injustices, prompting calls for its inclusion in earlier stages to uphold the integrity of the competition.
Manchester United Looking Ahead
While Manchester United advances to the next round, this victory is overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the winning goal. For Leicester City, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow, especially given their commendable performance.
As the FA Cup progresses, the clamor for consistent use of VAR is likely to grow louder, with stakeholders advocating for measures to prevent such contentious outcomes in the future.
One Response
This is so outrageous!