Manchester United’s dramatic 2-1 win over Leicester City in the FA Cup has sparked renewed talk of “Fergie time,” the legendary ability of Sir Alex Ferguson’s teams to snatch victories in the dying moments of a match. However, United manager Ruben Amorim was quick to deflect praise for the win, instead focusing on his team’s flaws.
Amorim’s caution is understandable, given the manner of United’s win. Harry Maguire’s 93rd-minute header was the decisive goal, but it was also a highly contentious one, with replays clearly showing Maguire to be offside. The absence of VAR in the FA Cup until the fifth round meant that the goal stood, but it did little to mask United’s deeper issues.
Despite the win, United’s performance was lacklustre, with the team struggling to create chances throughout the game. Amorim acknowledged as much in his post-match comments, stating that his team’s display was “not good enough.” He also took responsibility for United’s shortcomings, saying “the coach is the first responsible” when a team fails to perform.
