McTominay’s close-range tap-in gave Manchester United the impression that they had seized the lead in the first few minutes. The midfielder was in the correct place again, this time to score Alejandro Garnacho’s square pass after Bruno Fernandes delivered an inch-perfect free kick.
However, following a protracted examination, Jarret Gillett, the VAR assistant, called referee John Brooks to the screen for an uncommon subjective offside review. Maguire did not touch the ball, although he was just past the Fulham defense’s final line.
However, Brooks determined that Maguire had intentionally played towards the ball, influencing the game, following an on-field review. He rejected the attempt.
While providing commentary for TNT Sports, Jermaine Jenas clarified, “Your first thought is that it’s onside, but Maguire does try to make contact with the ball and therefore it’d be offside.” “He makes himself active right there by trying to play the ball at the end and winning it.
“However, the on-field review is absurd. Will we simply keep passing it around the house until someone takes the time to decide? The ultimate conclusion is that they made the correct choice, but if you’re Manchester United right now, things are definitely going against you.”
On the touchline, Erik ten Hag seemed agitated as he begged the fourth official to give an explanation for the call. Even though Maguire didn’t touch the ball, his purposeful attempt to do so indicates that the final verdict was accurate. He was only a few inches beyond the final line of defense.
McTominay, who has scored three goals in his last four United games, appeared to have scored another one. For the team’s journey to Fulham on Saturday, the midfielder was used in a defensive role as Casemiro is expected to miss “several weeks” because of a hamstring injury he suffered during Wednesday’s 3-0 Carabao Cup loss to Newcastle.
