Ruud van Nistelrooy did not hold back his disappointment following Leicester City’s agonizing FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United. The former United striker openly expressed his frustration, arguing that the pivotal decision that ended Leicester’s cup run had nothing to do with the fabled “Fergie Time.” Instead, he coined the term “Offside Time” to describe the controversial call, which he believed unfairly determined the outcome of the match.
Van Nistelrooy’s displeasure was evident as he strongly criticized the officiating, a stance that quickly fueled discussions among fans and analysts alike. The dramatic conclusion to the match, combined with the debatable nature of the decision, led to widespread scrutiny. Many have since questioned whether the match officials made the correct judgment, with supporters of Leicester City particularly incensed by what they perceived as a major injustice.
Leicester City had delivered an impressive performance at Old Trafford, with key contributions from Bilal El Khannouss and Wilfred Ndidi, who were instrumental in the team’s determined effort to pull off an upset. The Foxes took the lead through Bobby De Cordova-Reid, who expertly directed a header into the net, putting his side in a promising position to advance. Their defensive resilience was also on full display, highlighted by a heroic goal-line clearance from Caleb Okoli, which preserved their advantage and fueled hopes of a famous victory.
However, the game took a turn when Joshua Zirkzee managed to equalize from close range, bringing Manchester United back into contention. As the match neared its conclusion, it seemed destined for extra time. But in stoppage time, Harry Maguire emerged as the unlikely hero for United, scoring a late winner that shattered Leicester’s hopes.
The real controversy arose when replays showed that Maguire had been in an offside position when he netted the decisive goal. This revelation sparked outrage among Leicester fans and led Van Nistelrooy to openly challenge the fairness of the call. His comments added fuel to the growing debate surrounding the officiating decisions in the match.
With emotions running high, the disputed goal has remained a focal point of post-match discussions, with many questioning whether Leicester were unfairly denied a fair chance at progression. The controversy has only intensified conversations about the standard of refereeing and the effectiveness of video assistant technology in making crucial decisions. Whether or not the call was justified, the fallout from this match is sure to linger, especially among Leicester fans who feel they were robbed of a potential FA Cup triumph.
