Controversial Maguire winner sends Man Utd into FA Cup fifth round

Harry Maguire scored a controversial stoppage-time winner as FA Cup holders Manchester United fought back from a goal down to beat Leicester City and advance to the fifth round.

With extra time and potential penalties looming, Bruno Fernandes sent a free-kick into the box and Maguire headed home.

The defender appeared to be offside, but with the video assistant referee (VAR) not used at this stage of the competition, it was not picked up by the officials and the goal stood.

It was some much-needed joy for Manchester United fans, who had seen their side beaten at home in five of their past seven games at Old Trafford.

They will have likely feared the worst after Leicester took the lead towards the end of a largely dull first half, with Bobby De Cordova-Reid heading in after Andre Onana's save from Wilfred Ndidi's strike bounced up kindly for him.

But Manchester United were much improved in the second half, aided by the introduction of Alejandro Garnacho.

He caused Leicester numerous problems with his runs and it was from his cross that the hosts got the equaliser, finding Rasmus Hojlund, whose shot was blocked but Joshua Zirkzee was on hand to sidefoot home moments after coming on.

From then on the Red Devils looked the most likely to grab the winner, and so it proved with Maguire's header in the third and final minute of stoppage time - though Leicester fans will feel aggrieved that it stood.

This has largely been a season to forget for Manchester United, who have struggled for consistent form since the appointment of manager Ruben Amorim at the start of November.

Poor form in the Premier League has them languishing in 13th, meaning the FA Cup and Europa League are their most likely routes to European football next season.

United lost to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in their previous outing, and it looked like another home defeat was on the cards after a lacklustre first half in which they did not manage a shot on target.

But the half-time introduction of Garnacho for debutant Patrick Dorgu proved inspired.

The forward had been linked with a move away from the club during the winter window but Amorim appeared to be determined to keep hold of him - and this was why, as he caused countless problems for a Leicester side that had deservedly taken the lead.

He had a shot incredibly cleared off the line - and crossbar - by Caleb Okoli, but continued to cause the Foxes problems before playing his part in the equaliser.

It would be bold to suggest this could be a turning point for Manchester United, given there have been false dawns before, but the dramatic nature of the winner will no doubt help ease the pressure that was mounting on Amorim.

For 68 minutes it looked like Ruud van Nistelrooy, an FA Cup winner as a player with Manchester United in 2004, would come back to haunt his former club.

The Dutchman enjoyed a successful spell as interim coach at Old Trafford before Amorim's appointment, winning three of his four games in charge.

Two of those were against Leicester, and this time he returned in the away dugout.

Like Manchester United, the Foxes have been struggling in the Premier League, but they can take heart from this performance in which they produced good passages of play.

Ndidi, back after two months out with a hamstring injury, captained the side well and they were moments from taking this game to an additional 30 minutes.

But now their focus returns to the Premier League, where they sit two points from safety.

Source: BBC Sport