Manchester United's 5-2 Premier League victory over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford was overshadowed by a VAR controversy involving Harry Maguire, whose accidental handball in the build-up to United's second goal sparked debate over the application of the handball law.
Ipswich had taken an early lead through Leif Davis' volley, but Bruno Fernandes equalised before the break. Shortly after the restart, Maguire became involved in a challenge with Chuba Akpom in which the ball struck his arm. He then gathered possession, advanced into the box and struck a shot that was drifting wide of goal before deflecting off Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves and beyond goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen, putting the hosts 2-1 ahead.
The goal was referred for a VAR review given the apparent handball, but referee Craig Pawson's decision to award it stood. The Premier League Match Centre later clarified the reasoning: because Maguire himself did not score, and the ball instead deflected in off Greaves for an own goal, the accidental handball did not warrant the goal being chalked off.
Video assistant referee Jarred Gillett explained his recommendation to Pawson during the review: "It's an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable, so we recommend you award the goal."
Under current Premier League and IFAB regulations, a goal must be disallowed if the scorer has an accidental handball immediately before scoring. However, there are recognised exemptions to this rule, including when the goal is not immediate, when it is scored by a team-mate, or when the ball does not go directly into the net but instead deflects off a defender for an own goal. Because Greaves ultimately turned the ball into his own net rather than Maguire scoring directly, officials determined the third exemption applied, allowing the goal to stand.
Maguire addressed the incident after the match, telling Sky Sports he had not seen a replay but accepted how tight the call was. "It wasn't handball on purpose," he said. "I dragged the shot wide and I think that's why it stood. It's a new rule. We deserved that win and that bit of luck." He added that had he scored directly himself, the goal would have been ruled out, but United benefited from the fact Greaves' touch redirected it in.
The decision drew criticism from some pundits. Darren Bent argued that despite the technicality, Maguire's handball still directly influenced the outcome, saying: "He's going to say it's accidental, almost trying to protect himself, I understand the rules, but it directly impacts the goal." Gary Neville, meanwhile, suggested the law itself may need re-examining once the reasoning behind the goal being awarded was made public.
Such scenarios remain rare in English football, though not unprecedented. A similar case arose in January 2023 when Brentford were awarded a goal after the ball struck Ben Mee's arm before deflecting off Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate into the net.
Despite the controversy, United comfortably saw out the contest at Old Trafford. Fernandes completed his hat-trick with two further goals, and Bryan Mbeumo added a fifth with a lobbed finish to secure United's first three points of the 2026/27 Premier League season, sending them to a 5-2 win over an Ipswich side left to rue the fine margins of the handball law.
Based on reporting from Independent Football, Standard Football, and BBC Sport Football.