‘It’s genuinely a mockery now’ – Harry Maguire’s last-minute winner infuriates fans as Man Utd benefit from VAR’s absence to score ‘the most offside goal in football history’ in FA Cup clash against Leicester.
Harry Maguire scored a 93rd-minute winner for Manchester United over Leicester City, but fans are outraged because the defender appeared to be offside.
WHAT HAPPENED?
United looked ugly yet again as they faced Premier League strugglers Leicester in their fourth-round FA Cup match. Bobby De Cordova-Reid defeated Andre Onana, and the Red Devils surrendered in the first half. However, Joshua Zirkzee drew the defending FA Cup holders equal in the 68th minute, before Maguire netted the winner in the third minute of injury time. The England international appeared to be offside as Bruno Fernandes swung his free kick into the box, but the linesman did not raise his flag, and with no VAR available, the goal remained, leaving fans furious at the evident error.
WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING
X user @PoorEPLreferees wrote: “I’m sorry, but how did the linesman not raise his flag for Maguire’s goal when there were FOUR United players in an offside position? He’s literally in line with them, and the free kick is taken as well.” @JackWhitman_7 added: “It’s genuinely a mockery now; it was never a free kick in the first place, despite the commentator saying the referee was ‘influenced’ by the crowd.” Just for Maguire to be this much offside on his goal. The favouritism towards bigger clubs is ridiculous.” Another fan, @LFC_Lucas_, wrote: “That’s horrible from the linesman; he’s miles offside and Maguire is the first man he sees? “It’s pure corruption.”
Manchester City fan @Priceless_MCI wrote: “Maguire’s offside! This is how Fergie won all his trophies, FYI! Not surprised.
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AFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ruud van Nistelrooy, Leicester’s manager and former United temporary coach, agitated after the game, claiming his team was unfairly treated by the officials. Speaking to the reporters, Van Nistelrooy stated, “This wasn’t about being beaten in Fergie time; it was about being beaten in offside time.” VAR was not necessary. That works with centimetres and inches; this was half a metre. He was clearly in line.”
WHAT IS NEXT? The early rounds of the FA Cup do not include Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology since many lower-tier clubs lack the necessary technology to adequately deploy the system, which also requires officials at all games. However, the system will be available when the FA Cup’s fifth round begins.
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