Controversial winner seals FA Cup progress for United
Manchester United 2 - 1 Leicester City
Harry Maguire was the hero as he nodded home a dramatic stoppage-time winner to send FA Cup holders Manchester United into the fifth round, completing a comeback victory over Leicester City.
With extra time and penalties looming, Bruno Fernandes delivered a teasing free-kick into the box, and Maguire rose highest to head it in. The goal was shrouded in controversy, as the defender appeared to be offside, but with VAR not in use at this stage of the competition, the officials let it stand—much to Leicester’s frustration.
For United fans, it was a rare moment of joy in what has been a tough spell, with their team losing five of their previous seven home matches at Old Trafford.
The evening had started in familiar disappointment when Leicester took the lead just before half-time in an otherwise uneventful first 45 minutes. Bobby De Cordova-Reid reacted quickest after Andre Onana parried Wilfred Ndidi’s effort, nodding the visitors ahead.
United, however, looked far sharper after the break, helped by the introduction of Alejandro Garnacho. The young winger injected energy into the attack, troubling Leicester’s defence with his direct runs. His cross led to the equaliser—Rasmus Hojlund’s effort was blocked, but substitute Joshua Zirkzee was in the right place to guide the ball home just moments after coming on.
With momentum firmly on their side, United pressed for a winner, and it eventually came deep into stoppage time, Maguire meeting Fernandes’ delivery to spark wild celebrations. Leicester fans, though, were left fuming, convinced the goal should not have stood.
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More analysis of United's season
This campaign has been anything but smooth for Manchester United, who have struggled to find consistency since Ruben Amorim’s appointment in early November.
A poor run of league form sees them languishing in 13th, meaning their best hopes of securing European football next season now rest on success in the FA Cup or Europa League.
Their previous home outing ended in defeat to Crystal Palace, and another loss seemed on the cards after a first half in which they failed to register a single shot on target.
But Amorim’s decision to introduce Garnacho at the break—replacing debutant Patrick Dorgu—proved inspired.
The winger, who was linked with a move away in the January window, showed exactly why United were keen to keep him. He tormented Leicester’s defence, even seeing a goal-bound effort heroically cleared off the line by Caleb Okoli, before eventually playing a key role in the equaliser.
It would be premature to suggest this marks a turning point for United—false dawns have been plentiful this season—but the nature of this victory will at least ease some of the pressure that has been building on Amorim.
