Man United vs Leicester City FA Cup: Maguire’s Late Header Seals Dramatic Manchester United Comeback
Manchester United staged a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round, with Maguire’s late header sealing the win in stoppage time. The former Leicester defender’s goal, which appeared offside, was not reviewed due to the lack of VAR at this stage of the competition, reigniting debates over video technology in football.
FULL-TIME: 🔴 Man United 2-1 Leicester City 🔵
— Match Spoots (@matchspoots) February 7, 2025
⚽️ B. Reid
⚽️ J. Zirkzee
⚽️ H. Maguire#MUNLEI #FACup #MUFC pic.twitter.com/rYnVr6hrHT
Leicester Strike First in a Tight First Half
United started sluggishly, struggling to create clear-cut chances. Leicester, on the other hand, looked confident and capitalized on a moment of hesitation from the United defense. Just before halftime, Wilfred Ndidi’s powerful shot forced a save from Andre Onana, but Bobby De Cordova-Reid reacted quickest to head in the rebound, giving the visitors a deserved 1-0 lead.
United’s Second-Half Revival Sparks Hope
Manager Ruben Amorim made a crucial tactical adjustment at halftime, introducing the lively Alejandro Garnacho. His pace and creativity gave United a much-needed spark. In the 67th minute, Garnacho delivered a dangerous cross that led to chaos in the Leicester box. Rasmus Hojlund’s initial shot was blocked, but Joshua Zirkzee capitalized on the rebound, calmly slotting home to level the score.
Maguire’s Late Header Seals the Comeback
With the match seemingly heading for extra time, Manchester United won a deep free-kick in stoppage time. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and delivered an inch-perfect cross into the box, where Maguire’s late header powered past the Leicester goalkeeper, sending Old Trafford into celebration. However, replays suggested Maguire was in an offside position, sparking controversy. With no VAR available in this round of the competition, the goal stood, leaving Leicester players and fans frustrated.
The VAR Debate Reignites
Maguire’s decisive goal has reignited discussions about the absence of VAR in the early rounds of the FA Cup. Many believe that such crucial decisions should not be left to chance, especially when major tournaments rely on video technology later in the competition. This controversy is likely to fuel further calls for change in future editions of the tournament.
United March On, but Concerns Remain
Manchester United’s victory sees them progress to the FA Cup fifth round, keeping their hopes of silverware alive. However, their inconsistent performance, particularly in the first half, remains a concern for Amorim. With tougher challenges ahead, United will need to find consistency if they hope to compete for the trophy.
