In a nail-biting FA Cup clash at Old Trafford, Manchester United clinched a late win that sent shockwaves through the stadium.
Moreover, former Foxes star Harry Maguire scored a decisive header that pushed United into the fifth round. The goal came amid fierce debate and controversy.
Harry Maguire’s header arrived in stoppage time, and the decision instantly divided opinions. Furthermore, many argued that the goal should have been disallowed for offside. Additionally, the controversy deepened as fans questioned whether the referee had missed the flag.
Crucially, the Video Assistant Referee system does not operate in the third and fourth rounds of the FA Cup. Consequently, VAR could not intervene in this instance. However, the system comes into play from the fifth round onward, which only adds to the mounting pressure for future matches.
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Ruud van Nistelrooy voiced his fury at the decision, and his reaction resonated with many pundits. He did not mince his words when he declared his side’s exit from the FA Cup. Moreover, his comments sparked further debate among supporters and experts alike.
Van Nistelrooy insisted that the goal decision was far from acceptable. “We are not defeated in Fergie time, we are defeated in offside time,” he declared on ITV. In addition, he argued that VAR should have flagged the offside, noting the difference measured a couple of centimetres to half a metre.
The Dutchman argued that his team deserved a fair chance to compete further. He maintained that his side played a very good team game in the first half and even deserved a 1-0 lead at halftime. Furthermore, he stressed that extra time would have given them a chance to overturn the setback.
United head coach Ruben Amorim also rejected the notion of “Fergie-time” influencing the game. He admitted that the team lacked energy in the first half and needed to improve both on and off the ball. Moreover, Amorim emphasized that the performance, not the timing, dictated the outcome.
Ultimately, the match ended in a controversial win for Manchester United, leaving many questions unanswered. Therefore, as the debate continues, the fallout from this decision may well impact future FA Cup encounters. Consequently, fans and pundits now eagerly await adjustments in officiating and VAR protocols.
