One out-of-favour Red played ‘his best piece of football under Amorim’ after what he did vs Arsenal

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·13 January 2025

One out-of-favour Red played ‘his best piece of football under Amorim’ after what he did vs Arsenal

Manchester United fought until the very end to advance to the FA Cup fourth round, knocking out arch-rivals Arsenal on their home soil in the process.

It was a relatively dull affair in the first half, with Arsenal heavily relying on set-pieces to obtain their breakthrough and United struggling to create much threat further up the pitch.

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Shortly after the interval, the Reds would go on to break the deadlock courtesy of Bruno Fernandes, who dispatched a perfect one-touch strike to curl the ball past David Raya and give the visitors a well-earned lead.

While the finish was nothing short of spectacular by the skipper, credit must also be shared with Alejandro Garnacho, whose driving run up-field and low, driven cross made the opener happen. Samuel Luckhurst took to X/Twitter to react to the passage of play, writing: “Brilliant from Garnacho. His best piece of football under Amorim. And brilliant from Fernandes. Beautifully guided in.”

Fernandes’ goal was counteracted by Gabriel Magalhaes’ equaliser at the other end only nine minutes later – just two minutes after Diogo Dalot had been brandished a second yellow for a ludicrous challenge to dampen United’s chances of progressing.

Fernandes and Garnacho combine to seal crucial opener at the Emirates

Fernandes and Garnacho celebrate after combining for United’s first goal against Arsenal. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Yet, United knew what they had to do to see out a result and, boy, did they do exactly what Amorim would’ve demanded of them. A tenacious display from the backline and midfielders kept the probing Gunners at bay for the majority of regular time – although their lack of clinicality didn’t do them any favours on the night, either.

A goalless extra-time meant the tie would be decided via a penalty shootout, and after the Reds scored all five past the woeful Raya, the away end erupted.

United were drawn at home to Leicester City in the fourth round, meaning Ruud van Nistelrooy will return to Old Trafford just three months after his brief, unbeaten four-game interim tenure.

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One out-of-favour Red played ‘his best piece of football under Amorim’ after what he did vs Arsenal | OneFootball