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Manchester United v Leicester LIVE: Result after Harry Maguire scores offside winner in FA Cup

Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd turned around a poor performance in the first half with two second-half goals to knock Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City out of the FA Cup

Lawrence Ostlere
Saturday 08 February 2025 08:58 GMT
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Furious Ruud van Nistelrooy condemns 'unthinkable' Harry Maguire offside goal

Manchester United clawed back from a goal down to beat Leicester City in a 2-1 fourth-round FA Cup victory on Friday at Old Trafford, thanks to a last-gasp header from veteran defender Harry Maguire plus a strike from Joshua Zirkzee.

The game appeared to be heading into extra time before Maguire headed in the winner in the 93rd minute from Bruno Fernandes' free kick, seconds before the final whistle. Replays showed he was offside, but VAR is not deployed in the first four rounds of the FA Cup.

The result handed United only their third win in their last eight games at Old Trafford across all competitions.

United were poor in the first half and Leicester capitalised in the 42nd minute when Wilfred Ndidi's shot was blocked by keeper Andre Onana but Bobby De Cordova-Reid was there to head in the rebound from close range.

Zirkzee levelled in the 68th minute when Rasmus Hojlund's effort was blocked by defender Caleb Okoli and the ball fell perfectly for Zirkzee to tap home just three minutes after he entered the game.

Man Utd 0-1 Leicester

59 min: Mainoo links with Amad down the right and collects a pass, but he’s dispossessed easily by Okoli.

Lawrence Ostlere7 February 2025 21:19

'An awful debut'

An awful Manchester United debut for Patrick Dorgu, but a lot of the fault for that lies with Ruben Amorim for picking him out of position. It may have been fairer to move him to the left in the second half, rather than taking him off, but Dorgu is gone. It is also notable that Mazraoui and Leny Yoro have swapped so the Frenchman is now on the left of the back three.

Richard Jolly at Old Trafford7 February 2025 21:17

Man Utd 0-1 Leicester

53 min: Garnacho gets on the ball and zips down the left wing before crossing. It’s cleared, and then Bruno’s shot is blocked. Better, and the United fans roar.

Lawrence Ostlere7 February 2025 21:14

Man Utd 0-1 Leicester

50 min: Mazraoui concedes a foul throw after chucking the ball almost straight downwards. Shambolic stuff.

Lawrence Ostlere7 February 2025 21:11

Man Utd 0-1 Leicester

48 min: Bruno pinches the ball and feeds Amad on the right, but Thomas quickly shuts him down. El-Khannouss takes it up the other end and shoots, but it’s wide.

Lawrence Ostlere7 February 2025 21:08

Man Utd 0-1 Leicester

46 min: We are back underway and United have made a change – Dorgu is replaced by Garnacho. A tough baptism for the new signing, who did OK, I thought.

Lawrence Ostlere7 February 2025 21:05

Roy Keane: 'United are boring'

It’s safe to say Roy Keane was not impressed with that first-half performance.

Speaking on ITV, the former United captain said: “They’re boring now. You feel like going into the dressing room and reminding them what the game’s about – ‘there’s a goal at that end and you need to get the ball in it to score’. It’s as if they’re not even aware of it. Leicester haven’t been that great, they’ve done OK.

“United aren’t even getting the basics right. Sloppy, trying to beat people 25 yards from their own goal, people not staying with their runners.

“From United’s point of view, my godness, is this what it’s come to? We know their record’s poor, but we’re coming here tonight and looking at it going, ‘surely there’ll be a reaction, surely they’ll have enthusiasm and energy for the game’. They don’t even seem to have that.

“I bet Leicester can’t believe how easy it is.”

On new signing Patrick Dorgu, who is left footed but playing on the right side tonight: “He’s playing right wing-back. You think it’s unfair on certain players.“

Lawrence Ostlere7 February 2025 21:00

Half-time: Man Utd 0-1 Leicester

The only goal of the half, and just about the only taking point too:

Leicester's Bobby Decordova-Reid after nodding the visitors in front
Leicester's Bobby Decordova-Reid after nodding the visitors in front (AP)
Andre Onana retrieves the ball after conceding
Andre Onana retrieves the ball after conceding (Action Images via Reuters)
Bobby Decordova-Reid, right, celebrates with Leicester's Wilfred Ndidi
Bobby Decordova-Reid, right, celebrates with Leicester's Wilfred Ndidi (AP)
Lawrence Ostlere7 February 2025 20:52

Half-time: Man Utd 0-1 Leicester

Boos ring out around Old Trafford.

Lawrence Ostlere7 February 2025 20:48

GOAL! Man Utd 0-1 Leicester (De Cordova-Reid, 42 min)

Leicester strike! Ugarte is tackled by Soumare on United’s right touchline, and Leicester work it quickly to Ndidi on the edge of the box. His shot is saved by Onana but Bobby De Cordova-Reid is in the perfect place to nod the rebound home from a couple of yards.

Lawrence Ostlere7 February 2025 20:43

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