Ruud van Nistelrooy Questions Manchester United's Last-Gasp Victory Against Leicester

Feb, 8 2025

Van Nistelrooy Voices Concerns Over Controversial Goal

In a thrilling FA Cup encounter, Manchester United edged past Leicester City with a last-minute victory, but the aftermath is marred with controversy. Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Leicester manager and a former Manchester United talisman, was evidently displeased with the outcome. The game was neck-and-neck until Harry Maguire's dramatic 93rd-minute winner stirred the pot of contention.

The crux of van Nistelrooy’s grievance lay with the alleged offside position of Maguire during the free-kick delivered by Bruno Fernandes. In van Nistelrooy's eyes, this decisive moment was tainted, short-changing his team out of a well-deserved shot at extra time. "We deserved to go into extra time, go for the battle in extra time and maybe penalties," van Nistelrooy asserted, alluding to Leicester's determination and grit showcased throughout the match.

Fergie Time or Offside Time?

Van Nistelrooy pulled no punches, dragging in Manchester United's historical 'Fergie time' reputation—those famous late-game rallies under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson. He cleverly dubbed it 'offside time,' hinting at a perceived leniency that seems to favor United in critical moments. Such bold remarks by van Nistelrooy are bound to amplify the debates swirling around refereeing consistency and the application of VAR.

On the flip side, United's manager Ruben Amorim came forward acknowledging what he termed a 'poor performance.' Despite admitting the team's struggles, Amorim praised their resilience and fighting spirit, which seems to be a budding hallmark under his stewardship. With the win marking United's third home triumph in eight meetings, this resilience maybe a silver lining for Amorim's squad who are yet to unlock their full potential.

While Manchester United climbs the ranks with this victory, Leicester City remains tangled in a dogged fight to stave off relegation. Van Nistelrooy, however, left Old Trafford with a burning desire for football's justice system to wield its sword more effectively, leveling the playing field for clubs, regardless of stature.