Man Utd could have still scored Marcus Rashford goal due to FA rule loophole
Marcus Rashford was left frustrated against Everton despite his Manchester United side having run out 2-1 victors at Goodison Park.
Former Arsenal star Alex Iwobi had given the Toffees the lead early on with a great strike from range before Antony and Cristiano Ronaldo both scored to complete the turnaround for the Red Devils.
Rashford thought he had rounded off the scoring late on as he skipped around both James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford before slotting home. However, the strike – the United academy graduate’s sixth of the campaign – was chalked off by VAR.
The reason behind the goal being discounted was for an alleged handball in the build-up, the ball striking Rashford’s arm as he hurdled Tarkowski’s challenge.
He was certainly not happy with the decision having taken an aim at the technology during the aftermath of the match. Taking to Twitter, Rashford wrote: “+3 points on the road @ManUtd. VAR was questionable but thankfully it didn’t impact the result.”
As per the FA Laws of the Game, the decision was technically correct but there is actually an intriguing loophole written into the rules that would have seen the goal stand.
According to the official laws, it is an offence if a player “scores in the opponents goal directly from their arm or hand” or indeed “scores immediately after the ball has touched the hand/arm, even if accidental”.
However, the same rule does not apply to other players so should Rashford had squared the ball to one of his teammates – Bruno Fernandes being in position to score a tap-in – then VAR would not have been able to intervene and the goal would have stood.
Fortunately for United, Rashford’s disallowed goal did not cost the side at Goodison Park as they just edged the clash with Everton. Victory carries United up to fifth in the table ahead of their return clash with Omonia Nicosia in midweek and their Premier League showdown with in-form Newcastle United next weekend.
Red Devils’ boss Erik ten Hag was delighted with the way that his side have managed to respond to their Manchester derby humbling over the past week.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “I’m really happy. A long time since Man Utd came back from a setback with a goal to win the game. That’s good for belief in this team that they can do it.
“Twice In three days we have to stay composed and stick to the plan and see what can happen. An unlucky situation can change a game but it can’t change the plan. You still have to come back. That’s what happened today and on Thursday.”
