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This is an archive article published on February 8, 2025
We are defeated in offside time, not Fergie time: Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy after Manchester United win FA Cup tie with controversial goal
Television replays showed Maguire appeared to be offside, but the linesman did not raise his flag and VAR is not used in the FA Cup until the fifth round.
Manchester United's Harry Maguire, centre, scores his side's second goal during the English FA Cup fourth round soccer match between Manchester United and Leicester City at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy was left fuming after Manchester United’s Harry Maguire scored a late controversial goal which dumped the Foxes out of the FA Cup. “We are not defeated in Fergie time, we are defeated in offside time,” Nistelrooy said after the match.
Television replays showed Maguire appeared to be offside, but the linesman did not raise his flag and VAR is not used in the FA Cup until the fifth round.
“(VAR) wasn’t necessary. Look, VAR you have a couple of centimetres, couple of inches. This was half a metre clear in line. It’s a hard one to take. We deserved to go into extra time and go for the battle in extra time and maybe penalties,” the former Dutch forward said.
The result handed United only their third win in their last eight games at Old Trafford across all competitions, and the fans something to cheer about after a smattering of boos saw the team off at halftime.
In the match, holders United were poor in the first half and Leicester capitalised in the 42nd minute when Wilfred Ndidi’s shot was blocked by keeper Andre Onana but Bobby De Cordova-Reid was there to head in the rebound from close range.
Zirkzee levelled in the 68th minute when Alejandro Garnacho sent a cross into the box but Rasmus Hojlund’s effort was blocked by defender Caleb Okoli. The ball fell perfectly for Zirkzee to tap home just three minutes after he entered the game.
Garnacho made an immediate impact down the left as a second-half substitute and squandered a terrific chance when he tried to squeeze a shot inside the near post but hit the side netting, with a frustrated Rasmus Hojlund open in front of goal.
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