“Forget Fergie Time, This Was Offside Time!. You don’t need VAR to see that Maguire was in an offside position. Football definitely did not win yesterday” – 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 hold back his frustration following Leicester City’s FA Cup clash with Manchester United, as a contentious decision left the Foxes’ hopes in ruins. The former United striker took aim at the officiating, claiming the match-defining moment had nothing to do with the famous “Fergie Time” of old but was instead a blatant case of “Offside Time.”
Van Nistelrooy, clearly unimpressed with the call, voiced his concerns over the decision that ultimately sealed Leicester’s fate. The controversy has sparked heated debates among fans and pundits, leaving many questioning whether the officials got it right.
Ruud van Nistelrooy Reacts to Controversial Decision as Leicester City Falls to Manchester United in FA Cup
Ruud van Nistelrooy has voiced his frustration over a contentious officiating decision that saw Leicester City suffer a last-minute defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup Fourth Round.
Leicester, led by standout performances from Bilal El Khannouss and Wilfred Ndidi, took a well-earned lead at Old Trafford after Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s header put them ahead. The Foxes looked poised to secure a famous victory, especially after Caleb Okoli’s remarkable goal-line clearance. However, their hopes were dashed moments later when Joshua Zirkzee found the equalizer from close range.
As the match appeared destined for extra time, Harry Maguire delivered a dramatic stoppage-time winner, sending Leicester crashing out of the tournament. The controversy erupted when replays showed Maguire in an offside position, sparking outrage among fans and drawing strong criticism from Van Nistelrooy.
Van Nistelrooy Slams Officiating After Maguire’s Offside Goal
Leicester supporters were left fuming over the decision, and Van Nistelrooy echoed their frustrations. Speaking to ITV after the game, he made his feelings clear:
“This wasn’t about ‘Fergie Time’—this was about ‘Offside Time.’ VAR wasn’t even necessary for this call. It’s not a matter of centimeters or inches; he was clearly half a meter offside. It’s a tough one to take because the team deserved at least a draw, and extra time could have changed everything.”
The lack of VAR intervention added to the frustration, as FA Cup rules state that video review technology is only implemented from the Fifth Round onward. While that policy remains in place, it provided no consolation for Leicester and their manager, who felt the decision unfairly cost his side a chance to fight for progression.
What’s Next for Leicester City?
With their FA Cup journey cut short, Leicester must now focus solely on their Premier League survival battle. Their recent form has been concerning, with eight defeats in their last nine games across all competitions. Things won’t get any easier, as they now prepare to host Arsenal in a crucial league fixture.
As time runs out in the season, Leicester will need to regroup and find a way to turn things around if they hope to avoid relegation. Whether this controversial FA Cup exit fuels their fight remains to be seen.
