Controversial Stoppage-Time Winner Sees Manchester United Edge Leicester in FA Cup Thriller

2025-03-01

Manchester United secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round at Old Trafford, thanks to a controversial stoppage-time winner from Harry Maguire. The match, played on Friday, saw Leicester take the lead through Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s first-half header, but United fought back with Joshua Zirkzee’s equalizer in the 68th minute. Maguire’s decisive header in the 93rd minute, however, sparked debate as replays suggested he was offside when Bruno Fernandes delivered the free-kick.

Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy expressed frustration over the lack of VAR, which is not used in the FA Cup until the fifth round. He described the defeat as “offside time” rather than the famed “Fergie time,” referencing Manchester United’s history of late goals under Sir Alex Ferguson. Van Nistelrooy argued that the decision was a “clear and obvious mistake” and lamented the impact on his team’s morale.

United manager Ruben Amorim acknowledged his side’s fortune, admitting that VAR would have likely disallowed the goal. He praised the impact of substitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Zirkzee, with Garnacho’s pace and creativity proving pivotal in turning the game around. Despite the win, Amorim conceded that United’s performance was far from convincing, particularly in the first half, where they failed to register a shot on target.

The result sees Manchester United advance to the FA Cup fifth round, while Leicester are left to rue a missed opportunity to force extra time. The absence of VAR in this stage of the competition remains a contentious issue, with both managers and pundits calling for its implementation to ensure fairness in critical moments.

Man Utd 2-1 Leicester: Foxes manager Van Nistelrooy rues lack of VAR in FA Cup defeat

Ruud van Nistelrooy says his Leicester side were beaten not in Fergie time, but offside time as Harry Maguire's controversial late winner sends Manche

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