Harry Maguire scored an injury-time winner in opposition to former membership Leicester as holders Manchester United got here from behind to win 2-1 and advance to the FA Cup fifth spherical.
It appeared the defender was in an offside place as Bruno Fernandes swung within the free-kick that he headed previous Mads Hermansen, however with no VAR in motion at this stage of the competitors, the purpose was awarded.
“We were not defeated in Fergie time, we are defeated in offside time,” stated Leicester supervisor Ruud van Nistelrooy to ITV after the ultimate whistle.
United, who’ve reached the final two finals, superior previous the fourth spherical for the tenth time in 11 seasons.
There was hope inside Outdated Trafford that, in opposition to a group with eight Premier League defeats of their final 9 video games, United wouldn’t battle as that they had finished so usually on dwelling soil lately.
It didn’t take lengthy for that to evaporate, although. First the quantity of the gang quietened, then got here the groans when the ball was performed backwards, and the frustration on the lack of depth and creativity. The hosts lacked drive, performed at strolling tempo at occasions and seemed devoid of concepts.
Leicester took full benefit of that simply earlier than the break. Bilal El Khannouss was allowed time and house to skip previous Leny Yoro and pull the ball again for the unmarked Wilfred Ndidi, whose shot was saved by Andre Onana, just for the ball to ricochet off Bobby De Cordova-Reid and over the road.
Talking on ITV at half-time, Sky Sports activities‘ Roy Keane pulled no punches together with his evaluation of the hosts’ show.
“It’s shocking. Really, really poor,” he stated. “No shot on target. They had two on target against Crystal Palace. They’re actually boring now.”
Patrick Dorgu – vigorous on his debut – was changed by Alejandro Garnacho at half-time as Ruben Amorim seemed to inject recent life into his group, but it surely was greater than an hour earlier than they posted their first shot on course of the evening.
Joshua Zirkzee drew United degree
When it did come, solely an unbelievable last-ditch clearance from Caleb Okoli – which hit the crossbar earlier than being hooked away – stopped Garnacho’s shot from crossing the road.
United’s momentum continued to rise, although, and so they restored parity inside three minutes. Garnacho’s cross discovered Rasmus Hojlund, whose connection was blocked by Wout Faes. However the ball fell completely for Zirkzee, who side-footed his first purpose since December 19 into the empty web.
From there, it appeared as if extra-time was extra seemingly than both aspect discovering a winner.
However within the last seconds of second-half stoppage time, Maguire related with Fernandes’ great supply to get United out of jail.
Amorim: Good outcome, not a very good efficiency
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim talking on ITV:
“We have to believe it until the end, but this time has nothing to do with the time of Fergie.
“I feel the efficiency…we have now to take action significantly better with the ball, with out the ball. We did not have any power at first, particularly within 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 very good outcome, not a very good efficiency.
“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 am not interested by the tip of the season as a result of the ultimate is on the finish of the season. I do not care about that, I care concerning the second and the second just isn’t ok.
“A good result. We move forward to the next stage. We have a week to prepare, but today was not a good day.”
Van Nistelrooy: Offside determination laborious to swallow
Leicester supervisor Ruud van Nistelrooy chatting with ITV:
“We were not defeated in Fergie time, we are defeated in offside time.
“VAR you have got a few centimetres, a few inches. This was half a metre, clear in line. That is a tough one to take as a result of the group deserved extra-time.
“It was a very good team performance. Started really well, pressing United. On the ball, very stable. Deserved to go 1-0 up at half-time.
“We knew there could be some stress on us within the second half and probabilities however not even that a lot.
“Decisions like this, at our level, are hard to swallow.”
