“What a decision…” Rúben Amorim hailed for “ballsy” move that cemented Manchester United’s win vs Arsenal

Rúben Amorim has been praised for a “ballsy” move that secured Manchester United’s brilliant win over Arsenal in the FA Cup on Sunday evening.

Manchester United advanced to the FA Cup fourth round after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal started on the front foot, controlling possession and creating early chances. Gabriel Martinelli thought he had opened the scoring after 20 minutes, but his goal was disallowed for offside, leaving the home fans disappointed.

United gradually grew into the game and struck first in the second half. Bruno Fernandes showed his class, finishing brilliantly from Alejandro Garnacho’s assist to put United ahead.

The match turned on its head with 30 minutes left. Diogo Dalot received a second yellow card, reducing United to 10 men.

Arsenal immediately capitalised as Gabriel Magalhães smashed in the equaliser. Minutes later, the Gunners were awarded a penalty when Kai Havertz was fouled, but Altay Bayındır stepped up with a crucial save to deny Martin Ødegaard.

Neither team could find a winner in regulation or extra time, setting the stage for a penalty shootout.

United were flawless from the spot, converting all five of their penalties. Bayındır, already a standout performer, cemented his hero status by saving Kai Havertz’s effort, sealing a 5-4 shootout win and securing Manchester United’s place in the next round.

Amorim praised for “ballsy” move vs Arsenal

It has become clear that Amorim is getting closer to who starts in his ideal starting line-up, with the main question mark now hanging over who should be starting at striker between Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

While the former started the game, it was the latter who received monumental praise for his performance off the bench as he fought for every last ball, attempting to create chances for his teammates and eventually scoring the decisive penalty to send Arsenal crashing out of the FA Cup.

United correspondent for The Telegraph Jason Burt praised Amorim and his coaching staff for the “ballsy” decision to choose Zirkzee as United’s fifth penalty taker as he dispatched the effort in his trademark calm fashion.

“Manchester United partied like it was 1999. It may have been a third-round FA Cup tie, rather than a semi-final, they may have won it on a penalty shoot-out rather than a Ryan Giggs wonder goal, but it was still a famous victory over Arsenal that will resonate.

“And not least because it was Joshua Zirkzee who scored the fifth and decisive penalty in a shoot-out, after extra time, that will go down as one for the ages.

“What a ballsy decision by United head coach Ruben Amorim – he later said it was the choice of his assistants Carlos Fernandes and Andreas Georgson – to nominate Zirkzee, so maligned, jeered, criticised so far in his United career, as his fifth taker.

“Zirkzee scored with a confidence that was at odds with his struggles. Cool. Calm. Collected.”

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