MANCHESTER UNITED proved their age-long rivalry with Arsenal is still alive and well – following a pulsating FA Cup tie in North London.
The Red Devils triumphed on penalties following a bad-tempered affair which saw eight cards dished out in the second half.
Manchester United have booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup[/caption]
Tempers flared in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal after a controversial penalty[/caption]
Harry Maguire was deemed to have felled Kai Havertz, prompting a mass brawl[/caption]
Ruben Amorim‘s men clung on to a 1-1 draw as the red mist descended on a freezing afternoon at the Emirates.
Diogo Dalot was sent off for United just minutes after Bruno Fernandes had fired the visitors ahead with a sweeping counter attack.
The full-back was given a second yellow for an ill-judged lunge on Kai Havertz.
Gabriel struck almost immediately to level for the Gunners, before chaos reigned after Harry Maguire felled Havertz in the box.
United players and fans were fuming after the German appeared to go down under little contact, prompting a wild on-field brawl.
Referee Andy Madley gave the spot-kick, but with no VAR to fall back on had to stick with his decision.
Altay Bayindir had replaced Andre Onana in the Red Devils goal for the game, his first appearance since a chaotic 4-3 loss to Spurs in the Carabao Cup.
But he went from zero to hero as he managed to save Martin Odegaard‘s penalty.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
United clung on through to the end of extra time, defending with ten men for almost 50 minutes.
It was left to Joshua Zirkzee to smash the Red Devils into the fourth round after all five of United’s penalty takers were on target in the shootout.
Following the game, the players celebrated with an 8,000-strong contingent that he travelled down from Manchester.
And the club’s official X page made it clear how the team felt about the contentious penalty.
They simply tweeted: “Justice.”
Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as Maguire and Co dig deep to win after Dalot’s moment of madness
MANCHESTER UNITED produced a heroic effort to squeeze past Arsenal and into the FA Cup’s fourth round on penalties.
The Red Devils were forced to dig deep at the Emirates following Diogo Dalot’s 61st minute red card.
On a freezing cold afternoon in North London, SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rates and slates each United performer…
ALTAY BAYINDIR – 8
Poor punch up in the air which allowed the ball to fall nicely for Gabriel to finish.
Redeemed himself with a brilliant penalty save to keep the score level, before superbly denying Declan Rice twice.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 7
Was assured on and off the ball if unspectacular. Got his body on the line as the Gunners pushed for a winner.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 8
Solid in defence and kept the backline well organised. Produced the best tackle of the match on the goalline to deny Leandro Trossard a certain goal.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 8
Commanding in the air and made several key blocks but gave away the penalty which Arsenal missed to go in front.
Got away with an earlier error as he failed to clear – the ball landed at Kai Havertz’s feet but he somehow skewed wide with his effort.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7
Had to be on high alert to deal with the movement of Arsenal forwards but it was a task he managed well.
DIOGO DALOT – 3
Booked for a mistimed lunge on Lewis-Skelly. He followed that up with another silly, late foul on Merino with the ball about to go out of play for his second yellow. Stupid red card.
MANUEL UGARTE – 7
A firefighter all across the pitch for his side, although spent most of the match in his own half given Arsenal’s dominance.
Was booked for one foul too many just before the hour mark and was lucky to escape a red card as he went head-to-head with Havertz after the penalty incident.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 6
Lively in the middle and kept a close eye on Jorginho. Looked sharp on the ball and showed some clever touches.
Should have done better to head clear before Gabriel’s equaliser.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 7
Always an outlet on the counter which was much needed for the Red Devils.
Made the most of a Gabriel error to burst in on goal and pass across to Fernandes to score.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Was booked for throwing a trademark tantrum after claiming he was fouled on the edge of the box when lining up a shot.
Showed his class with a brilliant first-time finish which he bent around a defender into the far corner.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 3
Failed to provide the focal point that United badly needed, which meant almost every pass forward was dealt with by the Arsenal centre-halves. Was fortunate there was no VAR to take a look at his apparent elbow on William Saliba, which left the Arsenal star bloodied.
SUBSTITUTES
Amad (for Garnacho, 80mins) – 6
Lively on the counter too but just lacking a bit of quality – though was outnumbered every time he got the ball.
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 80mins) – 6
Some very clever touches when he came on and provided a presence up front at a time United badly needed it.
Toby Collyer (for Mainoo, 80mins) – 5
Showed plenty of energy but was missing quality in some areas.
Tyrell Malacia (for Ugarte, extra-time) – 6
Stuck to his task well.
Leno Yoro (for Maguire, 104) – 6
Did his job well during the closing stages of the match. Converted his penalty in the shoot-out with aplomb.
Fans were quick to respond, with one writing: “This is the tweet of the year.”
Another said: “Amorim winning with 10 men against 12 men is applaudable, good coach.”
While a third added: “Something tells me we wouldn’t have made it to extra time with Onana in goal today. Bayindir take your win.”
United’s prize is a home tie against Leicester City in the fourth round.
No team has successfully defended the FA Cup since Arsenal in 2015.
