Harry Maguire explains response after ref Andrew Madley gave ‘incorrect’ pen to Kai Havertz

Manchester United star Harry Maguire was left fuming when referee Andrew Madley awarded a penalty to Kai Havertz and Arsenal before a brawl broke out in their heated FA Cup clash

Harry Maguire has admitted he lost his head when referee Andrew Madley gave a ‘wrong’ penalty against him in Manchester United’s FA Cup win at Arsenal.

And Maguire insists football still needs VAR in operation – to stop referees making huge mistakes like the one Andrew Madley made at the Emirates. Maguire was left incensed when Madley awarded Arsenal a spot kick for his challenge on Kai Havertz.

But replays showed England star Maguire made no contact and that Havertz had dived. Maguire accused Havertz of cheating, sparking a melee between both sets of players.

Martin Odegaard then saw his spot kick saved, and United went on to win 5-3 on penalties after extra time. But Maguire admits he was so shocked by the decision of Yorkshire officials Madley he lost his head.

So much so that he forgot VAR was not in operation in the FA Cup, to overturn the call. And when asked if it had been the worst penalty decision of his career, Maguire said: “Yeah, it’s a tough one, really.

“At the time when he gave it, my initial instinct was that it will be all right, VAR will turn it over. And then I clicked on in my head that VAR could not intervene. So that’s when my head went a little bit.

“It was a tough one. He [Madley] probably looks back, and he knows he got it wrong. Listen, that’s why we have VAR, because the big moments, we need them correct and it’s a tough gig if we don’t have help for them.”