“I thinks those are the two things he does better than every other coaches”: Man United’s defender Lisandro Martinez has named TWO things Ruben Amorim does that no any other coaches can, vows to do everything for the gaffer’s success
Manchester United had a rather unlikely hero after beating Arsenal on penalties to reach round four of the FA Cup on Sunday.
Manchester United won the FA Cup under Erik ten Hag last season and were handed a real challenge in the start of this trophy defence.
A trip to Arsenal was one of the most difficult ties United could have been given but Ruben Amorim’s side stepped up to the challenge.
Bruno Fernandes fired United in front, only for Diogo Dalot’s silly red card to plunge United into a real fight.
Arsenal did find a leveller but couldn’t find a winner, sending the game all the way to penalties.
United scored five from five in the shootout with Altay Bayindir making himself the hero by saving from Kai Havertz.
Altay Bayindir on Ruben Amorim
United will now face Leicester City in round four with Amorim set to take on Ruud van Nistelrooy at Old Trafford.
That tie will be played in early February and it’s unclear whether goalkeeping hero Bayindir will still be in the United squad for that clash.
Recent reports have suggested that Bayindir wants to leave United in order to play first-team football elsewhere.
Bayindir is stuck behind Andre Onana in the United pecking order and didn’t exactly impress against Tottenham Hotspur last month.
Bayindir was outstanding against Arsenal though, saving Martin Odegaard’s penalty before then denying Havertz in the shootout.
Add in a string of other saves and it’s no surprise that United fans were praising Bayindiir for his performance.
Bayindir has now shifted the praise elsewhere though as he hailed boss Amorim.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Bayindir admitted that the United players ‘love’ Amorim with a ‘very good relationship’ been the new boss and the squad.
Bayindir added that the United players really trusting Amorim right now, with a strong fighting attitude now developing.
“[Ruben Amorim] is talking with us everyday and he wants to help us,” said Bayindir.
“We love him and he’s always trying to do his best. He has a very good relationship with the players and we are trusting him, he is trusting us. We are fighting together,” he added.
United must take momentum into home triple-header
Winning Sunday’s cup tie was another step in the right direction for United, just a week after a draw against Liverpool.
United must now kick on and three home games in a row present the ideal chance for some progress.
Southampton visit on Thursday night before United host Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.
The attention then turns back to Europe with United welcoming Rangers to Old Trafford.
Amorim has suffered testing home defeats to Bournemouth and Newcastle United but must now look to really push on after two positive outings on the road.
