Harry Maguire spares Man Utd blushes with last-gasp Leicester winner - 5 talking points
Harry Maguire spares Man Utd blushes with last-gasp Leicester winner - 5 talking points
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Manchester United narrowly avoided an FA Cup upset as they made hard work of seeing off Leicester City in the fourth round - thanks to former Fox Harry Maguire. The holders produced a poor first-half showing and found themselves trailing as Bobby De Cordova-Reid's close range header put the Foxes, led by Ruud van Nistelrooy, ahead. Leicester have only won two games on the road all season but were look to take advantage of a United side that continue to struggle. Ruben Amorim's decision to introduce Alejandro Garnacho at half-time proved an inspired choice and he was instrumental in Joshua Zirkzee's equaliser.
The Dutchman - who scored the winning penalty when the Red Devils knocked out Arsenal last month - got the Red Devils level with twenty minutes remaining. United took until the second of three added minutes to finally win the game as Maguire headed home from a Bruno Fernandes free-kick - despite looking to be offside with no VAR to deny the hosts. Here's the talking points from an eventful night in Manchester.
Too often this term United have been reactive - not pro-active - and that proved to be the case once again on Friday night. Rewind a few weeks to the Southampton win. The Saints, without an away win all year, were leading until the final stages before eventually losing 3-1. It was a case of United papering over the cracks, saving themselves from some seriously unwanted headlines. And that was the case on Friday night as the Red Devils managed to avoid an FA Cup exit to a team in the Premier League's relegation zone.
They may be into the fifth round of the FA Cup, but the showing at Old Trafford, not for the first time, underwhelmed and provided us asking more questions than answers. To think they were open to his sale last month. Garnacho has seen his form and attitude questioned in the past, but without him United would almost certainly be digesting a shock exit from the FA Cup. He was introduced at half-time, deployed in the wing-back role he's still getting used to. Amorim admitted recently the Argentine was getting more comfortable in the role and Garnacho bought pace and a directness that the United attack was seriously lacking.
Only a stunning block stopped him scoring. He was instrumental in the equaliser and whilst he may not be part of the future long-term, he's certainly one of their brightest lights right now. In the last 15 years only once have the winners of the FA Cup gone and won it again 12 months later. Arsenal lifted the trophy in 2014 and followed it up with another success the following season. But otherwise teams who claim the trophy at Wembley have been unable to back it. Manchester City came close back in May but it was this United side who stunned them and ended their hopes of winning the competition again. The Red Devils are aiming to buck the trend this term, but have already faced a scare.
Patrick Dorgu was the only major arrival in the January transfer window, coming in from Leece for £25million. The Dane is a natural wing-back, which was something sorely missing from the United squad as they attempt to make a success of Amorim's 3-4-3 system. Dorgu was thrown straight in for his debut and his pace was quickly evident, but he was part of a United team who were labelled "shocking" in the opening 45 minutes by Roy Keane. Clearly Amorim had seen enough and hooked his new arrival at the interval, bringing on Garnacho, which wasn't a glowing reflection of his first outing.
Van Nistelrooy was synonymous with red whilst he was in England. He was prolific during his five years in Manchester and went from assistant coach to interim boss. Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a short stint in charge before Amorim arrived. During that brief period he twice came up against the Foxes - winning both times. He helped secure a 5-2 win against Leicester in the Carabao Cup, which was his first game. He backed than up a fortnight later with a 3-0 win. Now his loyalties are with the team in blue and, in fixtures involving Leicester and United, he was looking to record his third victory in a matter of months, but was eventually undone.
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