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The Red Devils were well below their best once more, particularly in the opening hour as they struggled to make any kind of impression on a Leicester side who are scrapping for their lives in the Premier League.
Bobby Decordova-Reid’s goal four minutes before the half-time interval saw United concede the first goal for the seventh time in their last eight home games, but this time they turned the game on its head to get into the fifth round of the FA Cup – a competition they are the holders of after beating Manchester City in last season’s final.
Substitute Joshua Zirkzee drew United level following good work from substitute Alejandro Garnacho, before Maguire, who replays suggested was half a yard offside when Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick was swung into the box, buried a 93rd minute header past Mads Hermansen to ensure extra-time was not needed – VAR of course not in operation until the fifth round.
Here are 90min’s four United takeaways.
For most of January, it was unclear whether or not Alejandro Garnacho would remain a United player.
Chelsea and Napoli were interested and United’s stance, despite not being actively looking to sell the Argentine, was that a deal could be done if good money was offered. Garnacho does, after all, represent pure profit as he has graduated from the club’s academy.
On this evidence, it’s a good job United didn’t receive an offer they were willing to accept. Kobbie Mainoo looked unsure of what his new role fully entails, while Rasmus Hojlund’s confidence couldn’t be any lower if it tried. His complete lack of movement testament to that.
Garnacho’s introduction changed things, bringing a new energy and new ideas to United’s attacking play. He looked to break the lines, using his …
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