Arsenal 1-1 Man Utd (3-5 penalties): Ruben Amorim praises his side’s fighting spirit after FA Cup penalty shootout win | Football news
Ruben Amorim was able to spot clear signs of improvement for his Manchester United side after they knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup on Sunday.
The Portuguese suffered his first defeat as United boss at the Emirates Stadium in early December, but just over a month on his side battled hard for an hour with 10 men following Diogo Dalot’s red card to take the third-round tie to penalties and eventually overcome their hosts.
It is clear that United still have a long way to go before becoming the team that Amorim wants. If Kai Havertz had not taken advantage of two golden opportunities or if Altay Bayindir had not saved Martin Odegaard’s penalty in regular time, the story could have been different and their defense in the FA Cup ended.
But this felt like a big step up from that Premier League defeat. And when you add that to recent positive results away from home at Manchester City and Liverpool, the bigger picture is starting to look encouraging for Amor and United.
Especially in the first half, we played better than in the first game, said Amorim. “Today we were better in sets, more aggressive, we showed spirit even with 10 players.
“The sending off was very difficult for us. There were a few chances from Arsenal. The players were really tired.
“But from the first minute I felt that today was our day. And I felt a connection with our fans.”
Speaking about the resilience his team is showing more and more, Amorim added: “When we score first, it helps us suffer. Patience is a greater strength.
“We can calm down the game. We understand more the way we play – sometimes we don’t play well, but you can control the game at certain times. It is clear that we are improving with the way we suffer. It is a good thing for the team.”
Penalty heroes – Altay Bayindir and Joshua Zirkzee – must have suffered during Amorim’s tenure. The goalkeeper conceded direct from a corner in his last appearance against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, while Zirkzee was booed by his own fans when he was taken off before half-time against Newcastle at Old Trafford.
“Your life as a footballer has cycles and moments and sometimes your life can change,” Amorim said of the impact the two players had at the Emirates.
“At Tottenham people were pointing the finger at Altay and today he was also our hero.
“Josh had a little problem with the fans and today he has his last penalty. Life is like that. Your time will come.”
United have not won in regular time for six games in a row. However, their better times as a team may be coming.
Three home games in a row – against Southampton, Brighton and then Rangers in the Europa League – gives them a chance to build on the foundations they have laid in the last two games.
What’s coming up?
