BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 08: BBC Sport presenter Gary Lineker looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Birmingham City and Newcastle United at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park on February 08, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Gary Lineker explains why he ‘wasn’t devastated’ by Leicester’s FA Cup exit against Man United
Gary Lineker admitted that he wasn’t too disappointed by Leicester City’s FA Cup exit to Manchester United.
Leicester were beaten 2-1 by United as Harry Maguire’s controversial last-minute winner saw the Foxes bow out.
Ruud van Nistelrooy slammed the offside call and he wasn’t the only one as Leicester fans also fumed at Maguire’s goal.
It means that Leicester now only have the Premier League to focus on for the remainder of the season and Foxes legend Lineker revealed that he wouldn’t lose too much sleep over it.
Gary Lineker responds to controversial winner that knocked Leicester out of FA Cup
Like many, Lineker admitted that the game was poor and didn’t have much to sing and dance about.
However, even though his side were on the end of a questionable piece of officiating, the former forward felt that
Speaking on the Rest is Football Podcast, he said: “I must say, that was an awful game of football.
“I’m obviously entitled to whine at that offside decision but I wasn’t devastated because I thought to myself ‘I can’t see how Leicester can possibly win the FA Cup this season playing that way.
“I’m surprised the linesman missed it.”
Micah Richards thinks VAR would’ve saved Leicester
VAR isn’t introduced until the fifth round of the FA Cup meaning that the technology couldn’t intervene to overrule the decision.
Micah Richards, who joined Lineker on the podcast, was also surprised that Maguire’s goal was allowed to stand and that if VAR had been in place, then the Foxes may have still been in extra time.
Richards added: “The fourth official was stood right on the area, right on the line, you’d think that would be an easy one for him.
“We’re talking about referees again and bad decisions. We’ve talked about VAR so much and I think if it was used, VAR would’ve saved them.”
The Foxes now have a free weekend on 1 March and their full focus will be on a tough league schedule.
Will Alves already seems to be making an impression on Cardiff City fans, pundits and the manager following his debut at the weekend.
Alves came off the bench in Cardiff’s FA Cup win against Stoke City on Saturday as the Bluebirds beat their Championship rivals on penalties.
Iwan Roberts has compared Alves to Harvey Barnes, who followed a similar development path before being introduced into the Leicester first team.
Cardiff fans also waxed lyrical about Alves after his eye-catching debut as the 19-year-old played on both sides of the wing in just his sixth senior appearance in football.
