Harry Maguire scored a dramatic injury-time winner as Manchester United came from behind to defeat Leicester City 2-1 in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night, securing a spot in the last 16.
Leicester took the lead just before halftime, with Bobby De Cordova-Reid finding the net in the 41st minute. However, United responded in the second half, as Joshua Zirkzee equalized in the 68th minute before Maguire sealed the win with a controversial header in stoppage time.
The winning goal sparked debate, as Leicester’s interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy believed Maguire was offside. However, with no VAR available in the FA Cup, the decision stood, leaving Leicester players and staff frustrated.
“This was half a meter offside,” Van Nistelrooy told ITV. “It should have gone to extra time. We deserved a fair chance to take it to penalties.”
The victory marked a historic achievement for Manchester United, as they defeated Leicester at Old Trafford for the third time this season—having already beaten them 5-2 in the League Cup and 3-0 in the Premier League.
Leicester took the lead after Manuel Ugarte lost possession near the touchline, allowing Bilai El Khannouss to send in a low cross. Wilfred Ndidi’s shot was initially heading goalward but took a crucial deflection off De Cordova-Reid, wrong-footing United’s goalkeeper.
United improved significantly in the second half after Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee came on as substitutes. Garnacho’s sharp run down the left wing set up the equalizer for Zirkzee, who finished comfortably to bring United level.
As the match seemed destined for extra time, Bruno Fernandes delivered a perfectly placed cross into the box, where Maguire rose high to head in the winner. The England defender celebrated passionately, knowing how crucial the goal was.
Speaking after the game, Maguire praised his team’s second-half improvement: “The first half wasn’t good enough, we were too slow. But we stepped it up, and in the end, we deserved the win.”
He also acknowledged Garnacho’s impact, saying, “He always makes a difference when he comes off the bench.”
The result gave new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim a crucial win, while Van Nistelrooy and Leicester were left bitterly disappointed as they crashed out of the FA Cup.
