Manchester United edged out Leicester City with a 2-1 victory in the FA Cup on Friday at Old Trafford. Under the management of Ruben Amorim, the match highlighted ongoing struggles for the team despite the win. The Red Devils have been grappling with inconsistent performances, and this match proved no different as they narrowly secured their spot in the next round of the competition.
Amorim's side has been under scrutiny following a series of lackluster performances, where they managed only three wins in their last four games. The team was expected to beat Leicester but found it challenging to create opportunities, evidenced by their first-half expected goals tally of just 0.05. This figure marks one of the lowest since Amorim took charge, highlighting the pressing issues within the squad.
The crucial moment came during stoppage time when Harry Maguire's header secured the win for Manchester United. However, controversy surrounded the goal as replays indicated Maguire was at least a yard offside. Despite this, the goal stood, much to the dismay of Leicester City's camp.
"VAR you have in a couple centimetres, a couple of inches; this was half a metre, clear in line," said Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Van Nistelrooy's comments encapsulated the frustration felt by Leicester City, who believed they deserved more from the game.
"That was a hard one to take because the team deserves to draw in the end," he added.
Manchester United's journey in the FA Cup has been marked by fortunate escapes, including their previous round victory against Arsenal. During that match, Arsenal failed to capitalize on Diogo Dalot's red card and eventually succumbed in a penalty shootout, allowing United to advance.
Ruben Amorim acknowledges the challenges his team faces, frequently cautioning supporters about potential difficulties ahead. He expressed mixed feelings about Friday's match outcome.
"It was a good result, not a good performance," stated Amorim.
The manager's candor reflects an understanding of the broader issues affecting Manchester United, beyond just securing victories. Amorim hopes for a future where the FA Cup won't be regarded as a crucial priority for his team, indicating aspirations for more significant achievements.
"With VAR it was not a goal, and I think it's important to have because it's fair," Amorim commented regarding the controversial decision.
Despite admitting that the call was incorrect, Amorim recognized that such occurrences are part of the unpredictable nature of football and its governing rules.
For Leicester City, van Nistelrooy lamented missed opportunities and emphasized the impact of refereeing decisions on high-stakes matches.
"Then extra time, stay in the game, you never know what happens. We deserved to go into extra time, go for the battle in extra time and maybe penalties. Decisions like these in our level are hard to swallow," he concluded.
The Red Devils now face two challenging away fixtures against Everton and Tottenham. These matches will test Amorim's ability to stabilize his team's form as they continue their campaign amidst mounting pressure.
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