Manchester United secured a dramatic 2-1 win against Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday, with a last-minute header from Harry Maguire completing a thrilling comeback.
The match, which took place at Old Trafford, saw Leicester take the lead just before halftime. Bobby De Cordova-Reid scored for the struggling Premier League side in the 42nd minute after a mistake by United’s midfield. Despite failing to register a shot on target in the first half, Manchester United came out a more determined side in the second half following a tactical change by manager Ruben Amorim, who introduced Alejandro Garnacho for the second period.
Key Moments:
- First Half: United looked lackluster in attack, with Leicester capitalizing on their mistakes. In the 42nd minute, Manuel Ugarte lost possession, allowing Bilal El Khannouss to set up a shot for Wilfred Ndidi, whose effort was saved by Andre Onana. However, De Cordova-Reid reacted quickly to score from close range, giving Leicester a 1-0 lead at halftime. The United fans expressed their displeasure with boos as their team walked off the pitch.
- Second Half: After the break, Garnacho’s energetic performance led to the equalizer. The young winger created a chance for Rasmus Hojlund, whose shot was blocked, but Joshua Zirkzee tapped in the rebound to make it 1-1. United pushed forward, but it took a stoppage-time winner from Harry Maguire to seal the victory. The England defender headed home a Bruno Fernandes free-kick in the 93rd minute, sending the crowd into a frenzy. While there were claims of an offside by Maguire, no flag was raised, and the goal stood.
- Leicester’s Protest: Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy was visibly frustrated with the officiating, feeling that his side deserved extra time after what he believed was a clear offside on Maguire’s goal. Van Nistelrooy also highlighted the difficulty of accepting such decisions at this level of competition.
Manager’s Reaction:
- Ruben Amorim admitted that Manchester United’s performance was subpar, especially in the first half. He acknowledged that the team lacked energy and speed but praised their improved play in the second half, saying the win was important, even if the performance did not meet expectations.
- Van Nistelrooy also criticized the refereeing decision and felt that his team should have had the opportunity to fight for a result in extra time.
Challenges for Manchester United:
- United have been struggling with form, particularly at home, where they have suffered five defeats in their last seven matches across all competitions. Additionally, key players like Marcus Rashford and Antony left on loan during the January transfer window, leaving United with fewer attacking options. They also had to play without Lisandro Martinez, who was injured in the previous week’s defeat to Crystal Palace.