Ruud van Nistelrooij and his Leicester City have been eliminated from the FA Cup by a stoppage-time goal from Manchester United defender Harry Maguire. The Englishman was clearly offside, but since VAR was not available in this round of the FA Cup, the goal stood, much to Van Nistelrooij's surprise.
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Ruud van Nistelrooij and his Leicester City saw their FA Cup journey come to an abrupt and controversial end after a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time when United defender Harry Maguire found the back of the net in dramatic fashion. However, replays showed that the England international was clearly in an offside position when he scored, leading to outrage from Leicester’s players and coaching staff. Since this round of the FA Cup did not feature VAR, the decision stood, leaving Van Nistelrooij in disbelief and frustration at the post-match press conference.
The game had started positively for Leicester, who put in a disciplined and spirited performance at one of the most intimidating venues in English football. Van Nistelrooij’s side stunned the home crowd by taking the lead in the first half, showcasing their tactical discipline and attacking sharpness. The Foxes managed to frustrate Manchester United, forcing them into mistakes and limiting their attacking threats. Their defensive resilience and well-executed counterattacks paid off when Leicester capitalized on a rare moment of space in the United defense to break the deadlock.
However, United responded with increasing pressure, and their persistence paid off when Joshua Zirkzee equalized, setting up an intense battle for the final moments of the game. Both sides pushed forward in search of a winner, but the match seemed destined for extra time until the controversial late goal changed everything.
In his post-match reaction, Van Nistelrooij did not hide his frustration, openly questioning the officiating and the absence of VAR at such a crucial stage of the competition. "You saw it, right?" he began, speaking to Viaplay reporters. "We played really well today and deservedly took the lead, but for the match to end against us due to a decision like that is frustrating. It’s not just disappointing; it’s completely unacceptable at this level."
The former Manchester United striker, who spent years at Old Trafford as a prolific goal-scorer, was visibly upset with the nature of Leicester’s elimination. "When you see your team fighting so hard, giving everything on the pitch, and then losing like this, it’s extremely bitter," he continued. "But this was so clearly offside that you don’t even need VAR for it. Everyone could see it. It was just a massive error. Referees are human, and mistakes happen, but when you’re the one who has to suffer from it, it’s tough to accept."
Van Nistelrooij also pointed out the inconsistency of officiating standards, particularly in a competition as prestigious as the FA Cup. "In some rounds, you have VAR, and in others, you don’t. How does that make sense? It’s not fair that some teams benefit from extra technology while others are left without it. It changes everything, and unfortunately, we were on the wrong side of it tonight."
The controversial defeat not only ends Leicester’s FA Cup hopes but also adds to the growing debate about the role of VAR in football. Many fans and analysts took to social media to express their frustration over the lack of consistency in its application, especially in high-stakes matches where a single decision can determine the outcome.
As for Leicester, they must now turn their attention back to the league, hoping to bounce back quickly from this disappointment. Van Nistelrooij’s men have shown resilience throughout the season, and their performance at Old Trafford demonstrated that they can compete at the highest level. However, the bitter taste of this defeat will likely linger for some time, with questions about fairness and officiating continuing to dominate the conversation.
For Manchester United, the victory means progression in the FA Cup, but it comes with a cloud of controversy. While the Red Devils will celebrate their place in the next round, the manner in which they secured it will certainly be a topic of debate in the days to come.
Updated: 02:33, 8 Feb 2025
