Manchester United have beaten Arsenal in the FA Cup, with penalties deciding the fate of the Red Devils at The Emirates.
Arsenal vs Manchester United was a game of extreme highs and lows. Bruno Fernandes bagged the opener, with a delicious strike that was dispatched into the bottom right corner.
Then things turned sour. Diogo Dalot was awarded his second booking of the game, which saw him sent off by referee Andy Madley.
Things then looked to get worse for United. A dubious Harry Maguire foul on Kai Havertz led to a Gunners penalty – which was superbly saved by Altay Bayindir, which fans loved.
It then went all the way to penalties, where the Turk was the hero once again. Despite a number of contentious decisions against them awarded by the referee, it was United who advanced to round four.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, and the club’s official X account, made their thoughts very clear on what they made of the official’s performance.
Rio Ferdinand and Manchester United react to Andy Madley in FA Cup clash
Ferdinand took to X just before the penalty shootout took place to laud both the Manchester United squad for their valiant performance and have a jab at the referee’s not-so-great one.
He wrote: ‘Another battling performance… desire, willingness to fight as a team!’ He then added – ‘Bet the ref’s gutted.’
Manchester United’s official account also made their thoughts clear on the refereeing display. They wrote a one-word statement, that had a big impact. ‘Justice’.
Ferdinand delighted with penalty shootout win
Justice was well and truly served – with the Red Devils scoring every single one of their penalties against the Gunners. Ferdinand certainly enjoyed it.
Kai Havertz missed his, which means Ruben Amorim will now face former caretaker boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Red Devils go marching on in the FA Cup. Can they have a repeat of 2024 and win the whole thing?
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