Manchester United fans have called out the inconsistent officiating in English football once more after a questionable decision denied Marcus Rashford a record-breaking goal against Reading. In Saturday's FA Cup fourth round encounter, the 25-year-old appeared to have opened the scoring for the Red Devils but had his goal chalked off following a review by the Video Assistant Referee.

Rashford's decisive goal in the most recent Manchester derby saw him tie Dennis Viollet's record of scoring in nine straight home games. On Saturday, the United No.10 thought he had broken the record after smashing in what was perceived to be the opening goal with 10 minutes to go in the half. However, a review after the goal celebrations revealed that Wout Weghorst was apparently offside in the build-up to the goal.

The decision has since divided opinion on social media with a host of United fans claiming that it should have stood considering the fact that Casemiro's attempted cross looped up off a defender before Weghorst got hold of the ball for the final pass. Watch:

So, the disallowed Marcus Rashford goal comes down to the definition of a "deliberate play." How we've come to love this phrase.

There is no doubt that Wout Weghorst is in an offside position when Casemiro plays the pass, but Thomas Holmes gets a touch.pic.twitter.com/CqowCvehbB

— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) January 28, 2023

Needless to say, Manchester United were able to progress through to the Emirates FA Cup fifth round with a comfortable 3-1 win over 10-man Reading at Old Trafford. Casemiro bagged a double before Fred came off the bench to score the third goal. Reading subsequently managed a consolation goal when Amadou Mbengue headed in a ball from a corner.

Here is how some fans reacted to the Rashford incident: 

How was Rashford's goal offside but this wasn't?
VAR needs to be consistent pic.twitter.com/joADoR9sZC

— Flaw (@mufcflaw) January 28, 2023

VAR inconsistency costed Rashford a record breaking goal, can't believe it

— Cai (@CaiG77) January 28, 2023

Wanted rashford to continue his goal scoring run. Damn you VAR

— IG: SamuelOnoji (@samuelonoji) January 28, 2023

That Rashford 'goal' is how VAR is actually killing football.
You can't celebrate a goal now. You have to wait 2 minutes.
VAR was brought in for CLEAR and OBVIOUS errors but it is actually making most of the decisions.
Might as well scrap refs and linesmen.

— sAv (@jonmikesav8) January 28, 2023

That Rashford VAR decision is a very high in the ruin fun to importance of correct decision ratio.

— AÑD ר‎ ∑W STØBįϵ (@pgdj88) January 28, 2023

VAR inconsistencies is ruining football… that rashford goal came off a reading player.. how's that offside even after the highly rated VAR ???

— ADÉ (@flowzki) January 28, 2023

Rashford's record done in by VAR that the record holders didn't have to contend with. BUT, Manchester United can finally play some kids

— Good Work Nana (@NanaOA20) January 28, 2023

I'm not forgiving VAR for taking away a record moment for Rashford tonight , he scored the goal and that's what counts tho so

— Christine Pillay (@Christos_16) January 28, 2023

Rashford subsequently took to his Twitter page to express his disappointment with the decision:

Unfortunately, VAR got the better of me again today. That's 3 times this season Breaking the record for consecutive goals at OT would have been incredible, but I'm proud to have equalled Dennis Viollets record #MUFC

— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) January 28, 2023