In the recent FA Cup fourth-round match between Manchester United and Leicester City, Harry Maguire scored a last-minute header that appeared to be offside.
The absence of VAR in Manchester United’s FA Cup match against Leicester City has been explained.
On Friday night, United secured their spot in the fifth round with a late winner. Playing under the lights at Old Trafford, Ruben Amorim’s side was booed off at halftime after Bobby Decordova-Reid put Leicester ahead. In the second half, Joshua Zirkzee equalized in the 68th minute before Harry Maguire netted a stoppage-time header. However, replays suggested Maguire may have been offside when Bruno Fernandes delivered the free kick.
Despite this, the goal stood as VAR was not in use. Previously, VAR was implemented in the third and fourth rounds when matches were held at Premier League venues. However, a rule change ahead of the 2024/25 season means VAR is now only applied from the fifth round onward.
According to a statement from the FA, VAR will only be available from the fifth round through to the final at Wembley. It was previously limited to Premier League stadiums and Wembley due to infrastructure, staffing, and costs. The FA explained that this adjustment ensures consistency in refereeing across all clubs at the same stage of the competition.
United will return to action next Sunday when they face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier
League.
