Revealed: The rules loophole that led to Man United’s second goal being given despite Harry Maguire handling the ball
Harry Maguire’s ‘goal’ against Ipswich Town at Old Trafford on Sunday left fans across the nation scratching their heads.
How could a goal, where the player seemingly handled the ball before shooting, stand?
Manchester United were left counting their lucky stars after an obscure rule allowed this, their second goal in a 5-2 mauling of Ipswich.
Despite the controversy, the goal was valid because, well, Maguire didn’t actually score it.
The defender’s original shot was slightly off target, but it deflected in after hitting Ipswich man Jacob Greaves, so it went down as an own goal.
Had Maguire hit the target, the goal would have counted as his and been chalked off. But because he originally missed, it stands.
As the video assistant referee Jarred Gillett said to referee Craig Pawson during the match: ‘It’s an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable, so we recommend you award the goal.’
The goal may have been disallowed had the officials felt that Maguire’s handball was deliberate.
‘It wasn’t handball on purpose, that’s for sure!’ Maguire told Sky Sports. ‘I don’t know if it brushed my fingers. I actually dragged the shot a little bit wide so it’s going to go down as an own goal!’
Opposition manager Gary O’Neil was gracious in defeat.
He told the BBC: ‘It’s a really tough rule to ref.
‘Maguire’s shot was missing by quite a way. But what if it’s heading somewhere near the post and it’s too close to tell?
‘It doesn’t feel like a goal. It feels like it should be chalked off but we accept that it isn’t and that’s the rule. We have to be ready for Liverpool on Friday.’
Pundit Darren Bent added to Sky Sports: ‘It’s one of those rules where I understand because it’s there in black and white, but it still doesn’t feel right.
‘Harry Maguire directly impacts what happens to the ball and it ends up in the back of the net at a crucial time for Ipswich.
‘If it hits your hand and he is the one that directly impacts it, it’s not a nice one to take.’
More to follow.
