New Delhi: Manchester United earned a hard fought win over arch rivals Arsenal during their FA Cup third round clash at the Emirates stadium. Taking on the most successful side in the tournament, Manchester United entered the fixture as the underdogs given the recent form of both sides but a resilient Manchester United side from the back by Turkish keeper Altay Bayındır and center backs Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt earned a memorable shootout win over their old rivals.
The first half was largely uneventful, marred by persistent stoppages and fouls that disrupted the flow of the game. Arsenal, donning their all-white “No More Red” kit to raise awareness against knife crime, enjoyed most of the possession but failed to create clear-cut chances. Martin Ødegaard’s creativity occasionally shone through, and Gabriel Martinelli had the ball in the net only for the assistant referee to rule him offside. Manchester United’s first meaningful effort came from young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, whose low drive was comfortably saved by David Raya.
The game sprang into life after the interval. United broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute when Bruno Fernandes capitalized on Gabriel’s slip in midfield. Alejandro Garnacho seized the loose ball and surged forward, setting up Fernandes, who curled a precise shot past Raya. The visitors’ joy was tempered soon after when Diogo Dalot, already on a yellow card for an earlier reckless challenge, was dismissed for a second bookable offense after a rash tackle on Martinelli.
The magic of the cup ❤️🏆
Our fourth-round opponents at Old Trafford: Leicester City and the return of @RvN1776…#MUFC || #FACup pic.twitter.com/HWvlTUx18J
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 12, 2025
Arsenal capitalized almost immediately. Gabriel Magalhães equalized with an acrobatic effort that deflected off Matthijs de Ligt and into the net just moments after Dalot’s red card. The Emirates roared as Arsenal pressed for a winner, and their opportunity came in the 70th minute when Kai Havertz was adjudged to have been fouled by Harry Maguire in the box. Ødegaard stepped up, but United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir produced a stunning save to deny the Arsenal captain. Bayindir continued his heroics by tipping Declan Rice’s header over the bar minutes later.
Rice had another effort saved deep into stoppage time, forcing the game into extra time. In the additional 30 minutes, Arsenal dominated possession but lacked the cutting edge to exploit their numerical advantage. Leandro Trossard and Havertz both came close, but United’s defense, led by Bayindir and Lisandro Martinez, held firm. Joshua Zirkzee almost sealed it for United in extra time, but Raya made a crucial stop to keep the scores level.
The match headed to a penalty shootout, with United taking the first spot-kick in front of their traveling fans. Out of the eight penalties taken, seven were scored with only Kai Havertz missing his spot kick with Bayindir diving the right way to save his second penalty of the tie which ultimately proved to be the difference. For Arsenal, it was a case of missed opportunities and an inability to capitalize on a man advantage, while United’s resilience and Bayindir’s brilliance ensured their progression in the competition.
Player of the Match
1 – Altay Bayindir is the first Premier League goalkeeper on record (since 2013-14) to save a penalty in both normal time and in a penalty shootout in the same FA Cup game. Hero. pic.twitter.com/9PFSHSz7v5
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 12, 2025
Altay Bayindir delivered a standout performance in Manchester United’s dramatic FA Cup third-round victory over Arsenal, proving instrumental in his side’s success. The Turkish goalkeeper was a commanding presence throughout the game, pulling off a series of crucial saves and showcasing exceptional composure under pressure. Beyond his shot-stopping heroics, Bayindir was dominant in his box.
He registered two high claims, nullifying Arsenal’s attempts to threaten from set pieces and crosses. His command of the area ensured that United’s defense, reduced to ten men after Diogo Dalot’s red card, remained resolute under sustained pressure. The Turkish international was also heavily involved in United’s build-up play, with an impressive 60 touches of the ball. His ability to remain composed under Arsenal’s relentless pressing was key to relieving pressure on his teammates and initiating counterattacks.
Additionally, Bayindir’s defensive awareness shone through as he completed ten recoveries, often reading the game brilliantly to intercept loose balls and disrupt Arsenal’s forward momentum. In the penalty shootout, Bayindir’s earlier heroics in open play set the tone for his teammates. Though he wasn’t called upon to save during the shootout, his presence and earlier contributions undoubtedly bolstered United’s confidence.
Despite being a man down for almost an hour of the on-field action, Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United go through to the next round of the FA Cup following their shootout win over Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
