Manchester United overcame a shaky start to edge past Leicester City in a dramatic FA Cup fourth-round clash at Old Trafford. A sluggish first half saw the hosts trailing, but Alejandro Garnacho’s second-half introduction injected much-needed energy into Erik ten Hag’s side.
Joshua Zirkzee equalized in the 68th minute, setting the stage for a tense finale. Deep into stoppage time, Harry Maguire met Bruno Fernandes’ free kick with a towering header to seal a 2-1 victory. However, replays suggested the defender had strayed offside.
With no Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in place for this stage of the competition, the goal stood.
The FA had previously confirmed that VAR would only be implemented from the fifth round onwards, ensuring a uniform refereeing approach across lower-league and Premier League venues.
The decision sparked debate among pundits, with Roy Keane and Ian Wright voicing frustration at the officiating. Wright pointed out the linesman’s position, questioning why the offside wasn’t spotted in real-time. Keane criticized the decision, admitting United were fortunate to escape unpunished.
Regardless of the controversy, Maguire’s late heroics propelled United into the next round, where VAR will now be in play—eliminating any such debates moving forward.