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Manchester United were forced to mount a comeback in pursuit of their first Premier League victory of the 2026–27 campaign. The Red Devils ultimately got the job done, though they owed a great deal to a fortunate turn of events that allowed Harry Maguire's decisive goal to be awarded.
United fell behind thanks to a beautifully composed first-half strike from Ipswich left back Leif Davis. Bruno Fernandes leveled the score after Marcelino Núñez lost his footing in midfield, handing Michael Carrick's side a three-on-one counter-attacking opportunity.
The Red Devils then took control in the second half, bursting out of the blocks with intensity and grabbing a second goal when Maguire dispossessed an opponent on the edge of the area. The center back showed bold determination by surging into the box and firing a shot that crept into the net via a heavy deflection off Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves.
Curiously, had Maguire's effort actually been on target, the goal would never have stood.
Man Utd Benefit From 'Own Goal Loophole'
Because Maguire's shot missed the target, the goal was officially recorded as an own goal by Greaves rather than a Maguire strike. That distinction proved to be the critical factor in allowing the goal to be upheld.
The controversy stemmed from the ball making contact with Maguire's arm just before he won possession. This could theoretically have been flagged as handball, but owing to the technicality that Maguire was not the direct scorer—and the contact was ruled "accidental"—VAR chose not to intervene.
Under the Laws of the Game: "It is an offense if a player scores in the opponents' goal ... immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental."
Maguire would have been in violation of that rule had he gone on to score directly. But since his shot drifted wide, the goal was permitted. Ironically, a cleaner finish from Maguire—one that didn't require a deflection to find the net—would have resulted in the goal being ruled out.
The Premier League Match Center issued the following statement: "The referee's call of goal for Manchester United was checked and confirmed by VAR—with it deemed that Maguire was not the immediate goalscorer after an accidental handball."
VAR communicated to on-field referee Craig Pawson: "It's an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable, so we recommend you award the goal."
Maguire did not make himself unnaturally larger when contesting for the ball, instinctively pulling his arms toward his chest. Had the same contact occurred in a different phase of play without such consequences, the referee would likely have waved play on.
"It weren't a handball on purpose, that's for sure," Maguire said after the match, adding: "We deserved that little bit of luck."