Fans baffled as Harry Maguire goal stands despite handball in build-up due to little-known rule in Man Utd vs Ipswich

THE handball rules were at the centre of debate once more as Harry Maguire helped give Manchester United a 2-1 lead against Ipswich. The centre back marauded forward after winning the ball back and fired an effort across the box that was deflected home by Jacob Greaves for an own goal. Harry Maguire celebrates putting Man United 2-1 up in controversial fashion Credit: AP The ball appeared to hit Maguire’s hand when he won it back, but because he is not the actual goalscorer, the goal is allowed to stand. Only if Maguire had directly benefited from the handball and scored himself would the free-kick have been given and the goal ruled out. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! Many would quite rightly argue that Maguire certainly did benefit from the handball! The Premier League match centre explained: “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. VAR: “It’s an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable, so we recommend you award the goal.” Is that an accidental handball? He wouldn’t have won the ball otherwise. But that’s another point of contention. Fans were left totally bemused by the decision and flooded social media with criticism for the officials. One user wrote: “That Maguire goal NO way that can be considered an accidental handball when the hands assited him to control the ball.” Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK A second wrote: “Bonkers that. If Maguire scores direct it’s handball but because it’s an own goal it’s not. Who makes up these rules? Surely handball is handball?.” A third commented: “We lost football when we lost common sense I don’t care if it’s deflected, that’s handball by Maguire.” It was a dogged affair up until that point with Ipswich taking the lead through their left-back Leif Davis. However, Bruno Fernandes capitalised on a mistake to race through to equalise before half-time. Halsey explains 'handball' When Manchester United go 2-1 up with an own goal by Ipswich Town’s Greaves, in the buildup to that goal, Harry Maguire handles the ball.The ball hits his arms.Now, when challenging Akpom for the ball, his arms are in a natural position and it’s an accidental handball.Then, Harry Maguire gets his shot away.And it comes off Ipswich Town’s Greaves and goes into the goal.Now, because Harry Maguire wasn’t the scorer, the goal stands.Had Harry Maguire shot directly into the goal, it would have been disallowed for an accidental handball because he would have been the goalscorer.But because he wasn’t the goalscorer, it was an own goal, the goal stands.Now, some people say the law’s on us.Yes, you could argue it is, but according to law 12 handling the ball, that goal was correctly given by on field and after review by VAR.Ipswich Town and Gary O’Neill will feel aggrieved with the 2nd goal, but unfortunately the officials are correcting law. Maguire’s hands were up as he made the challenge Credit: beIN Sports After Bryan Mbeumo managed one of the misses of the decade to put United in front, Maguire’s deflected effort got the job done. Fernandes went on to score his hat-trick to put United 4-1 up with 20 minutes still to play. Comment now