This is according to Ruud van Nistelrooy as he Criticizes Controversial Call That Crushed Leicester City’s FA Cup Dreams Against Man United
Ruud van Nistelrooy did not hide his frustration after Leicester City’s heartbreaking FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, as a contentious decision crushed their hopes of advancing. The former United striker was outspoken about the officiating, arguing that the decisive moment had nothing to do with the legendary “Fergie Time” but was instead a clear case of “Offside Time.”
Van Nistelrooy, visibly displeased, criticized the call that ultimately determined Leicester’s fate, sparking widespread debate among fans and analysts. The controversial nature of the decision has led to intense scrutiny, with many questioning whether the officials made the right call.
Leicester had put in a spirited performance, with Bilal El Khannouss and Wilfred Ndidi standing out as key figures in their push for an upset at Old Trafford. Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s well-placed header gave the Foxes a deserved lead, and they appeared on course for a famous victory, especially after Caleb Okoli’s heroic goal-line clearance. However, the momentum shifted when Joshua Zirkzee leveled the score from close range, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Just as extra time seemed inevitable, Harry Maguire delivered a stoppage-time winner that sent Leicester out of the tournament. The controversy erupted when replays revealed Maguire was in an offside position when he scored, igniting outrage from Leicester supporters and prompting Van Nistelrooy to voice his strong disapproval.
In an interview with ITV, Van Nistelrooy expressed his disbelief at the lack of intervention, stating that VAR wasn’t needed to spot such an obvious offside. He emphasized that Maguire was nearly half a meter ahead of the last defender, making the call inexcusable. He lamented that Leicester had fought hard and at the very least deserved a chance to push the match into extra time, where anything could have happened.
The frustration was compounded by the fact that FA Cup rules only allow VAR from the Fifth Round onwards, leaving Leicester feeling helpless against a decision that significantly impacted their campaign. While that rule remains unchanged, it offered little comfort to a team that believed they were unfairly denied a shot at progression.
With their FA Cup dreams shattered, Leicester must now shift their focus entirely to the Premier League, where they are embroiled in a fierce battle to avoid relegation. Their form has been concerning, with eight losses in their last nine outings across all competitions, and their next challenge won’t be any easier as they prepare to face Arsenal in a crucial fixture. Whether this controversial defeat fuels their determination or further damages their morale remains to be seen.
