Manchester United responded to their defeat to Wolves in the Premier League by knocking Aston Villa out of the FA Cup after winning 1-0 at Old Trafford.
The result didn’t come easily as United failed to win convincingly – and Villa had a goal disallowed after a VAR check, which sparked a reaction from both managers after the match.
It was Steven Gerrard’s first time in the dugout at Old Trafford and he was well aware of the chants sung throughout the stadium.
The visitors piled on the pressure in the second half and looked like they had scored a deserved equaliser when former Danny Ings, who also has Liverpool connections, put the ball in the back of the net following a header from Ezri Konsa.
United defended the situation poorly but a lengthy VAR consultation took place in the aftermath. The goal was eventually disallowed for a Konsa block on Edinson Cavani in the build-up, but Ings also appeared to be in an offside position.
Gerrard gave his thoughts on the VAR incident to BBC Sport, saying: “How long have you got? The officials took three and a half minutes to settle that one. They have looked at two or three things in it.
“When VAR is there and they make a decision you have to accept it. There is nothing you can do to change it. The easy way out is to blame luck and the officials, we won’t do that.”
Rangnick was more definite in his answer about the decision. He said: “We had a look in the dugout and when I saw the situation for me it was clear – the player who blocked Edinson Cavani was offside in the very moment when the ball came in.”
Dion Dublin felt the goal should have stood (commentary via BBC) but Ings looked offside with every replay.
Lol. So it should have stood though ings looked offside with every replay. Ironic isn’t it?