Ruben Amorim could identify clear signs of progress from his Manchester United side after they knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup on Sunday.
The Portuguese suffered his first defeat as United manager at the Emirates Stadium at the start of December, but his side battled hard for an hour with 10 men after Diogo Dalot was sent off in the third round on penalties. Eventually overcoming their hosts.
Clearly, there is still a long way to go before United become the team Amorim wants them to be. If Kai Havertz had not squandered two golden chances or Altay Binder had not saved Martin Odegaard's penalty in normal time, it could have been a different story and their defense would have been finished in the FA Cup.
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Jimmy Weir and Sam Blitz present the referee from a classic FA Cup match as Manchester United advanced on penalties after Arsenal wasted several big chances.
But this felt like a big step forward after the Premier League loss. When this is added to the recent positive results achieved by the team away from Manchester City and Liverpool, the bigger picture begins to look encouraging for Amorim and United.
“Especially in the first half, we played better than we did in the first game,” Amorim said. “We were better on set-pieces today, more aggressive, and showed spirit, even with 10 players.
Tensions flare up between Kai Havertz and Harry Maguire
“The sending off was really hard for us. There were some chances from Arsenal. The players were really tired.
“But I felt from the first minute that today was our day. I felt a connection with our fans.”
Speaking about the resilience his team has increasingly shown, Amorim added: “When we score first, it helps us suffer. It's more strength to suffer.
“We can calm the game down. We understand more the way we play – sometimes we don't play well but you can control the game in certain moments. We are obviously improving with the way we struggle. It's good for the team.” “.
Joshua Zirkzee celebrates after scoring the decisive penalty in Manchester United's shootout win
The two penalty shootout champions – Altay Binder and Joshua Zirkzee – have certainly struggled during Amorim's tenure. The goalkeeper conceded straight from a corner in his last appearance against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-final, while Zirkzee was booed by his own fans when he was substituted just before half-time against Newcastle at Old Trafford.
Amorim said about the impact of these two players at the Emirates Stadium: “Your life as a football player has cycles and moments, and sometimes your life can change.”
“At Tottenham people were pointing the finger at Altay and today he was our hero too.
Altay Binder denies Arsenal in extra time
“Josh had a little trouble with the fans and today he got the final penalty. Life is like that. Your time will come.”
United have not won a match in normal time for six consecutive matches. However, perhaps their best times are yet to come as a team as well.
Three successive home games – against Southampton, Brighton and then Rangers in the Europa League – gives them the opportunity to build on the foundations they have laid over the past two games.
What's next?
SNF
Sunday, January 12 at 12:30 pm
