Matt Crooks netted a decisive second half equalizer for Boro after Duncan Watmore had clearly handled.
Manchester United legends Rio Ferdinand, Peter Schmeichel, and Roy Keane gave their views on Middlesbrough’s equalizer in Friday’s fourth-round FA Cup match.
Matt Crooks canceled out Jadon Sancho’s opener by scoring a second-half equalizer to level the scoreline at 1-1. Despite Duncan Watmore handling the ball, the goal was allowed. The decision proved to be a game-changer, as Boro went on to beat United 8-7 on penalties at Old Trafford.
@Boro can trap the ball with hands now. That will make it tough on @ManUtd #handball pic.twitter.com/rPdmq2KR5h
— Rev. Joel L. Tolbert 🍊⚽️🚂 (@treblotj) February 4, 2022
Referee Anthony Taylor allowed Crooks’ effort to stand as a recent rule change means the goal cannot be ruled out for accidental attacking handball because the handball was not by the goalscorer.
To be disallowed, the handball had to be deliberate or the arm position not admissible by the player’s movement.
But Ferdinand was having none of it.
“What’s the point of VAR?” the ex-defender tweeted.
What’s the point of VAR…. 💩
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) February 4, 2022
When David De Gea, who had the night off, retweeted Ferdinand’s message with a flushed face, his former teammate replied: “There (sic) saying ‘accidental’ bro. These people.”
There saying “accidental” bro 😱
These people…. https://t.co/ZnFOO9oUiZ— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) February 4, 2022
Former Red Devils goalkeeper Schmeichel was similarly unimpressed.
“That’s a handball, we’ve been robbed…… by Crooks,” the Dane posted on Twitter.
That’s a handball, we’ve been robbed…… by Crooks😱😱@ManUtd
— Peter Schmeichel (@Pschmeichel1) February 4, 2022
But Keane shared a different view to his former teammates, arguing that rules are rules.
“It’s accidental. They are the rules and you have to take that little bit of luck on the night,” said the ex-United captain on ITV.
Manchester United return to action on Tuesday away to Burnley in the Premier League.
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