Harry Maguire has criticised referee Andy Madley's decision to award Arsenal a penalty during Manchester United's FA Cup third-round victory, admitting he 'lost his head' when he realised VAR was not available to correct the error.
The incident occurred when Maguire challenged Kai Havertz in the box, with Madley pointing to the spot. Replays showed minimal contact, suggesting Havertz may have dived. Maguire, visibly frustrated, was involved in a heated confrontation with Arsenal players.
Despite Martin Odegaard's penalty being saved, allowing United to win 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, Maguire could not hide his frustration. 'At the time when he gave it, my initial instinct was that it will be all right, VAR will turn it over. And then I clicked on in my head that VAR couldn't intervene. So that’s when my head went a little bit,' Maguire said.
The United defender suggested Madley would regret his decision upon review. 'It was a tough one. He probably looks back, and he knows he got it wrong,' Maguire added. 'Listen, that's why we have VAR, because the big moments, we need them correct and it’s a tough gig if we don't have help for them.'
Manchester United have been drawn at home against Ruud van Nistelrooy's Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round.
