Manchester United 2-1 Leicester City: Injury-time Maguire header completes FA Cup comeback

Harry Maguire’s controversial injury-time header handed Manchester United a 2-1 comeback win over Leicester City and booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round.

United yet again started poorly at Old Trafford, where they have been dismal of late, failing to register a shot on target in the first half and falling behind to a Bobby De Cordova-Reid goal.

The former Fulham man applied an easy headed finish after goalkeeper Andre Onana could only parry Wilfried Ndidi’s shot into the path of the Jamaica forward.

Ruben Amorim’s men improved after the break and had a wonderful chance to equalise through substitute Alejandro Garnacho, but his deflected shot was miraculously cleared off the line by Caleb Okoli via the crossbar.

Those heroics were in vain however, as United did find the equaliser just minutes later with Joshua Zirkzee scoring from close range after more good work from Garnacho, who provided United with a lot of impetus from the bench.

Get in! The Reds leave it late but we are in the hat for the fifth round #MUFC || #FACup

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 7, 2025

Leicester seemed to have stemmed the tide and were on the brink of extra time but were undone by Maguire’s controversial header in the 93rd minute.

He powered Bruno Fernandes’ deep free-kick across goal and in, though replays showed the defender was offside. However, with VAR not being introduced in this season’s FA Cup until the fifth round, the fortunate Red Devils edged through.

Data Debrief: United continue strong FA Cup home form

Maguire’s winner continued United’s fine home record in the FA Cup, with the club having now won 17 of their last 19 matches at Old Trafford in regulation time.

It could be a good omen for United, with the ex-Leicester defender becoming the first United player to score a winning goal in second-half stoppage time in the FA Cup since Anthony Martial against Everton in April 2016, with the club going on to win the competition that season under Louis Van Gaal.

The late goal was a bitter pill to swallow for Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s men, though De Cordova-Reid did mark his 20th appearance in the FA Cup with a goal, his third in the competition and first for Leicester.