Manchester United are into the FA Cup fourth round after a dramatic third round win away at Arsenal.
Before we look ahead to Manchester United’s fourth round tie at home to Leicester, we really should savour a memorable third round win away at Arsenal.
United stood up to a set-piece heavy Arsenal side and came out on top, drawing 1-1 in normal time and winning 5-4 on penalties.
All of Manchester United’s players were winners on the day – but we have tried to narrow it down to a top five…
Winners
Here are five Manchester United players who left the biggest impression at The Emirates…
Altay Bayindir: Manchester United’s back-up goalkeeper came in with Andre Onana rested, with the Turkey international still reeling from a disastrous performance against Tottenham last month.
Altay Bayindir was not perfect – but he was good enough, saving a penalty from Martin Odegaard in normal time, and then from Kai Havertz in the shootout.
His double save backed up Amorim’s bold decision to start him, and has revitalised his Manchester United career.
Matthijs de Ligt: We could quite easily put Harry Maguire in this spot – but we are going with Matthijs de Ligt instead.
De Ligt had a tough game at Anfield a week ago when he dived in to allow Cody Gakpo to turn and shoot, and then unfortunately gave away a penalty with a handball.
The Dutchman had the biggest defensive moment of the match with an outstanding clearance to deny Leandro Trossard a tap-in.
Leny Yoro: Teenage defender Leny Yoro showed personality and technique when he stepped up to score a penalty in the shootout.
Yoro’s spot-kick was his biggest moment in a Manchester United shirt so far, topping his superb late tackle at Anfield a week ago.
He is now putting real pressure on the preferred trio of De Ligt, Maguire and Martinez, and there is a chance he starts against Southampton.
Bruno Fernandes: Manchester United’s captain continues to lead by example, and this time he was not suckered into receiving a second yellow card like he was against Wolves last month.
Bruno Fernandes kept his head throughout the game, scoring a very well-taken goal to give United the lead early in the second half.
He set the tone for the shootout with a typically well-taken penalty that sent David Raya the wrong way.
Joshua Zirkzee: After an embarrassment at Old Trafford a fortnight ago where Joshua Zirkzee was substituted after 32 minutes, he enjoyed his redemption against Arsenal.
Zirkzee was a second half substitute and looked lively, testing David Raya in extra-time, and linking well with his teammates, battling for every ball.
The moment he had been waiting for came in the penalty shootout, when he stepped up to take and score the winning penalty, cueing wild celebrations.
One big loser
There was a big loser to emerge from Manchester United’s away win, and he was wearing an Arsenal shirt…
Kai Havertz: Arsenal forward Kai Havertz dived to steal a penalty against United, conning the referee after going down without being touched.
United’s players were furious and let him know, with Manuel Ugarte bundling him to the ground, while Maguire was seen mouthing ‘cheat’.
Arsenal missed the penalty, while Havertz went on to miss a succession of chances, and then missed the only spot-kick in the shootout, with Altay Bayindir too good for him. What a miserable afternoon for the German – who just isn’t good enough to be the goalscorer Arsenal need.
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