Manchester United are through to the fifth round of the FA Cup after a 2-1 win over Leicester City.
Manchester United hosted Leicester City at Old Trafford for their fourth-round tie on Friday evening, and the Red Devils came from behind to seal a 2-1 victory.
United ensured that extra time and penalties were not needed after Harry Maguire headed in a 93rd-minute winner from an offside position, which was allowed to stand due to VAR not being in operation.
Earlier in the match, United fell behind four minutes before halftime after Bobby De Cordova-Reid put Leicester ahead. The hosts struggled to break through the Foxes’ defence until the second half when Joshua Zirkzee equalised in the 68th minute. With extra time looming, Maguire’s late goal proved decisive, securing United’s progression in the competition.
Bruno Fernandes sent a free-kick into the box, and Maguire headed home. The defender appeared to be offside, but with VAR not used at this stage of the competition, the officials did not pick it up, and the goal stood.
It was some much-needed joy for Manchester United fans. The result handed United only their third win in their last eight home games across all competitions.
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Ruben Amorim’s Reaction
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim admitted his side have a lot to improve on but acknowledged that sometimes, you need a bit of luck.
Speaking to ITV, Amorim said:
“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 bit more speed, winning second balls and then we managed to turn things around.
“It was a good result, not a good performance.
“I cannot focus just on saving the season or the momentum with a cup. It’s not the way I see football, it’s not the way I see Manchester United.
“I’m not thinking about the end of the season because the final is at the end of the season. I don’t care about that, I care about the moment and the moment is not good enough.
“A good result. We move forward to the next stage. We have a week to prepare, but today was not a good day.”
With their place in the FA Cup last 16 secured, Amorim’s side will now turn their attention back to the Premier League. Their next fixture sees them travel to face Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday, in a match that will be crucial for both teams as they look to climb the table after inconsistent campaigns.
Van Nistelrooy’s Reaction
Speaking after Leicester’s FA Cup exit, United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy insisted his side were beaten in “offside time” rather than Fergie Time.
“We are not defeated in Fergie Time, we are defeated in ‘Offside Time,’” he told ITV, as per BBC Sport.
Van Nistelrooy added: “We are gutted. When you prepare for the whole week for this game and reacting after the Everton loss and put in a performance like that but it is decided on a clear and obvious mistake; that is unacceptable and unthinkable at this level.
“We have nothing else to do but pick ourselves up. It is not what the team deserved.”
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