Harry Maguire’s stoppage-time FA Cup winner got Ruben Amorim out of jail. But the brutally honest Manchester United boss admits the goal shouldn’t have stood.
Struggling United’s season could’ve gone from bad to worse at Old Trafford on Friday night after Leicester City stormed into a first-half lead through Bobby Decordova-Reid. However, the Red Devils managed to fight back as sub Joshua Zirkzee equalised 20 minutes from time before Maguire’s late header dumped his old club to let Amorim off the hook.
But the Foxes were left fuming as TV replays showed that the centre-back had clearly strayed offside after meeting Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick at the far post. With no VAR in the FA Cup though, Maguire’s effort was allowed to stand – a sickening blow for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s troops.
Amorim had huge sympathy for the visitors, and despite edging through into the next round, the Portuguese gaffer bemoaned yet another lethargic display from the fallen English giants. In a candid assessment, he said: “The goal was offside. We should have VAR. It should be here to overturn the decision. It’s hard on the opponent, it’s hard on Ruud.
“But in the second-half, we managed to change the game a little bit. But the performance.. we were poor in this game. But then we showed some spirit and more energy in the second-half. Some players also came in and helped the team, so it was a good result, but the performance? Of course, we have to improve.”
Van Nistelrooy was understandably incensed as he raged: “We are gutted. When you prepare for the whole week for this game and reacting after the Everton loss and put in a performance like that but it is decided on a clear and obvious mistake, that is unacceptable and unthinkable at this level. We have nothing else to do but pick ourselves up. It is not what the team deserved.”