Maguire handball rule 'will change by next season' after United's 5-2 win over Ipswich

Harry Maguire’s handball in the build-up to Manchester United’s second goal against Ipswich Town was correctly allowed to stand under existing rules, but the incident has led former Premier League forward Jay Bothroyd to declare the law governing such situations will “100 per cent be changed by next season.” United ran out 5-2 winners at Old Trafford, with a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick proving decisive.

Maguire, 33, fired United into a 2-1 lead in the 57th minute after controlling the ball on the edge of the box and drilling a low shot that deflected home off Jacob Greaves for an own goal. Ipswich players were incensed, believing the goal should have been disallowed after the ball appeared to strike Maguire’s hand as he won possession. Under current rules, however, because Maguire was not the direct goalscorer, referee Craig Pawson and VAR were correct to allow the goal to stand.

“They got the decision right because it’s in the rule,” Bothroyd told Sky Sports. “But the rule is rubbish. At the end of the day, it’s a handball and a goal came because of it. That is unfair. Maguire’s handled the ball — it’s not intentional — but as soon as it falls to him and he has the shot and it goes in via a deflection, it should be brought back. Because that goal doesn’t happen if it doesn’t hit his hands. It will 100 per cent be changed by next season.”

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher also backed the on-field decision while acknowledging the law’s limitations. “It’s definitely the right decision — it strikes his hand, but striking his hand isn’t an offence in itself,” Gallagher said. “It has to be deliberate or lead to a goal scored by himself. It strikes Maguire’s hand, he shoots, it’s going wide and hits Greaves, so it becomes an own goal. It’s accidental handball. It’s unfortunate for Ipswich, but the only thing to debate is whether you like the rule or not.”

The incident adds to a long-running debate over handball legislation, which was itself amended a few years ago to introduce the distinction between a player directly scoring from a handball and one benefiting indirectly. Both Bothroyd and Gallagher agree the current version produces outcomes that feel unjust, even when technically correct — a tension that may finally force football’s lawmakers to act ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.