VAR controversy as Manchester United beat Aston Villa 1-0 to progress in the FA Cup

An early Scott McTominay header sent Manchester United through to the fourth round of the FA Cup in an entertaining game at Old Trafford. 

However, the result came in controversial circumstances after Aston Villa had a goal harshly disallowed by VAR. The visitors arguably had the better of the game and will feel they deserved at least extra time.

In truth the 1-0 scoreline belied the chances created as both teams could have scored more. 

Ralf Rangnick made five changes from the 1-0 defeat against Wolves. Most notably, Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of the squad completely and there was also a change of system - returning to the 4-2-3-1 favoured under Solskjaer. Steven Gerrard made two changes from Brentford but continued to line up in a narrow 4-3-3. 

The goal was the first real action of the game. A Luke Shaw corner was initially cleared but was recycled by Fred. The Brazilian played a quick one-two with Mason Greenwood before crossing from the edge of the 18 yard box where McTominay was able to rise unmarked to head home. 

There was almost an immediate equaliser. Tyrone Mings flicked a corner towards the back post. Victor Lindelof’s headed clearance hit Ollie Watkins from about four yards and bounced narrowly wide.

There was a frenetic, end to end feel to the match. Both John McGinn and Edinson Cavani forced their opposition goalkeeper’s into fantastic saves. 

Villa’s best chance of the first half fell to Watkins. The striker capitalised on Lindelof's mistake as the United centre back got caught underneath a high ball. He cut back inside the Swede but fired against the bar when he really should have scored. Shortly after Jacob Ramsey’s shot was deflected just wide by McTominay. 

The hosts should have made it two on the stroke of half time. A deft flick by Bruno Fernandes sent Marcus Rashford through. The winger got caught in two minds between squaring for Greenwood and shooting himself allowing the backtracking Matty Cash to get back and clear.

Controversy ensued in the 51st minute after Villa believed they had equalised. Danny Ings forced the ball in after chaos in the six yard box from a free kick. After a lengthy VAR check the goal was disallowed. Originally it looked as if the debate surrounded whether Watkins had flicked on an Ezri Konsa header to make Ings offside - but the offside was actually given against Ramsey for a block on Cavani. The young midfielder was deemed to be offside and active from the original free kick and was penalised. 

Eight minutes later they had the ball in the net again. Ings was sent through by Emi Buendia, chipping David De Gea before Watkins followed it in. The offside flag went up straight after the goal as Ings had been offside when the original ball was played. 

There was an increased intensity and aggression to the match following the disallowed goals. Fred, Shaw and Diogo Dalot all picked up deserved yellow cards within a five minute period. Cash and Konsa both forced De Gea into saves while Watkins curled one wide of his far post. 

At the other end Greenwood had two shots straight at Emi Martinez. The second was the better opportunity of the two but he couldn’t take advantage of the one on one from a tight angle.

In the end the Red Devils were able to see out the last fifteen minutes reasonably comfortably as the intensity died down. They will now face Middlesborough at home in the next round. The away side will feel aggrieved by the VAR decision and their controversial defeat.