By Carlo Garganese

The dreaded offside rule. For years the cause of many arguments between rival clubs, players and fans, its interpretation has bamboozled the greatest of footballing minds, as well as referees and their assistants, and has even led to the creation of a sexist stereotype.

The events at Deepdale on Monday - where a controversial offside incident rescued Manchester United from a humiliating FA Cup exit to League One minnows Preston - showed that changes must be made to simplify the rule before it wreaks further havoc.

With 65 minutes gone, United were trailing 1-0 and did not look like scoring. Then, Ander Herrera hit a scruffy shot towards the far corner after good work from Antonio Valencia. Wayne Rooney was clearly standing in an offside position in the eyeline of Preston goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann, but was deemed by the referee and his assistant as not interfering with play.