BREAKING: Ruben Amorim crazy CELEBRATION after Altay Bayindri PENALTY SAVE against Arsenal – Onana position at stake already
BREAKING: Ruben Amorim crazy CELEBRATION after Altay Bayindri PENALTY SAVE against Arsenal – Onana position at stake already
Manchester United’s FA Cup run remains alive in heroic circumstances as they knocked out Arsenal, winning 5-3 on penalties after heroically taking the game there with ten men, drawing 1-1 in regular time.
United ceded the initiative in the beginning stages of the game, preferring to close the spaces between the lines and frustrate Arsenal to take the initial sting out of the game.
It remained the theme throughout the first half as Arsenal played for corners, United defended stoutly and went into halftime goalless.
The game’s pattern continued in the second half, the only difference being the mistake United kept waiting for arrived soon as Garnacho pounced on the ball in Arsenal’s half and squared for Fernandes, a chance he took clinically.
Dalot’s moment of madness soon after gave the trigger-happy referee a reason to send him off and United conceded soon after. The referee continued to want to be the center of attention as he awarded Arsenal a dubious penalty.
Altay Bayindir redeemed himself, acrobatically saving Odegaard’s penalty to bring back some sense of justice in a breathless game.
The game remained end-to-end and more heroics from Bayindir were needed but United took it deservedly to extra time, although they wouldn’t have been thankful due to being a man down.
The ten men on the pitch kept putting up a heroic rearguard display to keep Arsenal at bay which they did for the first half of extra time. The second followed the same theme and United heroically took it to penalties
Here’s how the players rated-
Altay Bayindir – 7.5
Didn’t look confident but kept his clean sheet. Distribution is a massive downgrade from Onana. Flapped for Arsenal’s equaliser but redeemed himself with a great penalty save later. Added to his newfound confidence with a massive save immediately after. Saved Havertz’s penalty to give United the win in the shootout.
Matthijs de Ligt – 8
Outside of a few misplaced passes, was warrior-like in defence, especially in the first half of extra time with an extraordinary clearance to preserve the stalemate.
Harry Maguire – 8
Often found himself as the last man defending and came up with the goods every time with a crucial tackle or interception.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
Similar to De Ligt on the right side. Didn’t let himself get bossed in the air and defended aggressively by stepping out and meeting the attackers high up.
Noussair Mazraoui – 7
Best player alongside Maguire with his smart play in both boxes in the first half. Had more trouble when he switched wings in the second half and he was up against a tricky Sterling.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Wasteful with the ball. Saka’s absence made his job easier but ended up getting sent off partly due to his own eagerness and partly due to a trigger-happy referee.
Manuel Ugarte – 7.5
Jumped into tackles with the authority that a positive run of form brings and is now in the conversation of being this team’s most important player.
Kobbie Mainoo – 7
Tested Raya with a sighter from outside the box and kept things ticking in the middle.
Alejandro Garnacho – 7
Often looked isolated up front, especially on transitions, but made it count when it was needed the most, assisting for Fernandes.
Bruno Fernandes – 7.5
Was clearly fouled by Jesus but should have contained his frustration which led to a senseless booking in the first half. Had a captain’s contribution with a clinical goal in the second. Put away his penalty with supreme confidence.
Rasmus Hojlund – 5
Completely starved of service but didn’t make much out of the few opportunities he did receive. Slightly improved second half.
