Why Harry Maguire goal stood for Man United despite clear handball as bizarre rule explained

The little-known Premier League rule that allowed Manchester United's second goal against Ipswich Town to stand has been revealed.

Following a dismal display in their Premier League season opener against Hull Cuty, which ended as a 2-0 win to the promoted club, Man United showed up in their first home match of the season.

A hat-trick from captain Bruno Fernandes, an own goal from Jacob Greaves and a strike from Bryan Mbeumo saw United thrash Ipswich Town 5-2 at Old Trafford, getting their season off to a more positive start.

However, the one-sided scoreline doesn't mean that the match was free of any controversy, as United's second goal came after a highly controversial moment involving Maguire.

The England star appeared to score the second goal to put United ahead in the match, but a VAR check revealed that the ball had come off of his hand before his strike found the back of the net.

But, after a lengthy check, the goal remained in place after it was seen to have deflected in off Greaves for an own goal.

Explaining the decision, the Premier League Match Centre wrote on X: "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."

This rule means that, had Maguire directly benefited from the handball and been awarded the goal, it would have been chalked off and a free-kick would have awarded to Ipswich.

But, due to Greaves' misfortune, United were given a second goal that went on to inspire the remainder of their dominant display.

After Greaves' own-goal, Fernandes scored his second of the match thanks to a penalty awarded for a foul in the box on Matheus Cunha, taking the score to 3-1 to the hosts.

Fernandes secured his third ever United hat-trick in the 68th minute, putting the ball into the bottom corner, before Bryan Mbeumo made it 5-1 to United to round off a fantastic performance from the Red Devils.

Ipswich were able to get one back in the final moments of the match, as substitute Chuba Akpom scored a tap-in thanks to an assist from Julio Enciso, but it did little to make up for the result.

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Harry Maguire speaks out after controversial goal

Immediately after the match, Maguire spoke to Sky Sports about United's performance and was asked to respond to his controversial involvement in the second goal.

"I haven't seen it back, so I can't really comment. I know it was tight. 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."

Speaking about the match overall, he added: "We started the game really well. The goal knocked us back a lot.

"When you lose at this club, there's a lot of noise and you feel like you're in a crisis again.

"We spoke about it at half-time. We proved we could've got more...

"Last week was disappointing. We prepared all pre-season for the game against Hull.

"Thankfully, we managed to get the three points. It's a long season, and we'll be READY for the next one."

United face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for their next fixture before beginning their Champions League season with a match against Azerbaijan's Sabah at Old Trafford.