Manchester United Leaves It Late Against Leicester City
Manchester United managed to keep their FA Cup dreams alive with a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over Leicester City at Old Trafford. The victory was far from straightforward, with the Red Devils showing two distinct faces during the game. Leicester’s Bobby De Cordova-Reid drew first blood, taking advantage of a deflected effort by Wilfred Ndidi in the 42nd minute, leaving United struggling to find rhythm in the first half with only two attempts on goal.
The atmosphere shifted in the second half as United manager Erik ten Hag introduced Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee, who both played pivotal roles in turning the tide. Zirkzee netted the equalizer in the 68th minute, seizing the opportunity from a rebound following Rasmus Hojlund's blocked effort, which came from a Garnacho cross. This invigorated performance marked a stark contrast to the difficulty faced earlier in the match.
The Decisive Moment: Maguire to the Rescue
As the clock ticked down, many thought the game might stretch into extra time. However, Harry Maguire had other ideas. In added time, he soared high to connect with Bruno Fernandes' expertly delivered free-kick, heading United into the next round amidst Leicester's vocal protests about a potential offside. The absence of VAR in the FA Cup meant the decision remained unchallenged, leaving Leicester and their manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy, particularly frustrated. Van Nistelrooy lamented, attributing the loss more to a lack of technology and questionable officiating than United's comeback prowess.
This victory was a much-needed boost for United, especially amidst their recent slump in form and a squad dented by injuries, including the key absence of Lisandro Martínez. On the other side, the loss was yet another setback for Leicester under the stewardship of Van Nistelrooy, who has struggled to find consistency, with his team now recording nine defeats in thirteen games.
Interestingly, this win marked Manchester United's third triumph against Leicester at Old Trafford in a single season—a rare feat showing their ability to edge out opponents in crucial moments. Maguire, acknowledging the early hiccups, praised his teammates for their resilience and ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most.