Why Manchester United goal stood despite Harry Maguire handball as Premier League explain rule

The Premier League have explained why Manchester United’s second goal against Ipswich Town was given despite an apparent handball.

Harry Maguire seemingly handled the ball moments before his shot went in off Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves in United’s 5-2 win.

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It put United 2-1 up after 56 minutes, with replays then showing what appeared to be a handball in the build-up.

VAR checked the incident and kept showing replays of the own goal rather than the handball.

Referee Craig Pawson then pointed to the centre circle to confirm that the goal stood.

Why did the Man United goal stand?

It was an unusual circumstance, but the Premier League Match Centre has explained why it was not chalked off.

“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,” Professional Referee Organisation, or Pro Ref explain.

VAR Jarred Gillett said: “It’s an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable, so we recommend you award the goal.”

The Premier League then published the rules from International Football Association Board (IFAB) on what is deemed to be handball.

United come from behind to beat Ipswich

Sunday’s handball drama is likely to spark further debate over the rules, but United and Ipswich still entertained in the seven-goal clash.

Leif Davis put the visitors ahead with just under half an hour played as he smashed into the roof of the net from Abdul Fatawu’s cross.

After Marcelino Nunez slipped, Matheus Cunha fed the ball to Bruno Fernandes and the United captain fired in their equaliser.

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United went ahead via the own goal from Greaves, who then gave away a penalty for his foul on Cunha.

Fernandes made no mistake from the spot and completed his hat-trick midway through the second half with a calm finish.

With torrential rain falling from the Manchester sky, Bryan Mbeumo added a fifth goal as his lob crept over the line.

Chuba Akpom netted a consolation goal for Ipswich in stoppage time.

United have picked up their first points and win of the new Premier League season in a much-improved performance from the 2-0 loss at Hull City last weekend.

They sit tenth in the table, with Ipswich two spots below them.