Player Ratings: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United (3-5 on penalties)

Photo: Manchester United

Manchester United made it through to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup after a spirited and resolute performance against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, thanks to some brilliance from multiple players.

After a rather timid first-half, United went ahead in the second-half after a brilliant break-away that led to Bruno Fernandes firing into the top corner. However, just a few minutes later, Diogo Dalot was sent off for a second yellow card after a reckless challenge in the middle of the pitch, and Arsenal quickly equalised thanks to Gabriel.

Despite being down to 10 men, United dug deep and held their own, particularly thanks to Altay Bayindir and the defence in front of him, denying Arsenal any room to go in front.

The game went into extra-time, and United held on for penalties. In the shootout, Bayindir saved Kai Havertz's penalty, before Joshua Zirkzee fired in the winner.

United will now face Leicester City in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford on the weekend starting 8th February 2025.

Here are today's player ratings:

Altay Bayindir 9

The star man today. He started off rather shaky, struggling with the ball to his feet. However, he grew into the game in the second-half, producing so many saves and looking very comfortable. He denied Martin Odegaard from the spot with an excellent stop to keep it 1-1, and also made loads of last-ditch saves from close range against Declan Rice. Also got the crucial save against Havertz in the penalty shootout to help United through. What a performance and a brilliant response to the disappointment against Tottenham.

Matthijs de Ligt 8

Put his body on the line on so many occasions, doing all he can to deny Arsenal the crucial winner. He was up against it in the closing stages, having to deal with plenty of Arsenal pressure down his side, yet he stood firm. Produced plenty of crucial blocks and cleared the ball from off the line. His celebration in the net summed up United's performance today.

Harry Maguire 9

Bayindir's closest competitor for Man of the Match. Dealt with every cross that was put into the box and was very comfortable on the ball. He made 11 clearances and five blocks, the most out of any player on the pitch today. He was wrongfully penalised for a penalty after Havertz went down easily in the box. He is quickly growing in stature under Ruben Amorim.

Lisandro Martinez 7

Had plenty on his plate having to deal with a number of Arsenal players outnumbering him down his side. However, he dealt with it excellently and was one of the better defenders on the ball. He is looking more and more like the Martinez we know. He was hobbling in the final stages, hopefully it is just cramp.

Noussair Mazraoui 7

Comfortable, calm and brilliant yet again. He was really solid and was very progressive on the ball. Had to shift to centre-back in the final few minutes and was not rattled by it.

Manuel Ugarte 8

He is quickly becoming the best signing of the summer. Excellent at winning the ball time and time again and was very efficient with his passing. Him and Kobbie Mainoo together are looking really fluid and are willing to go forward and chase back. A fan favourite.

Kobbie Mainoo 7

Relatively quiet, but did all of the simple things right. Kept on fighting and was eager not to let Arsenal have any sort of space in midfield, limiting Arsenal to going in the wide areas. Amorim values him in his system, and United need to do all they can to keep him.

Diogo Dalot 4

A moment of madness that nearly cost United the game. He was having a relatively solid performance up until his red card, which amid the numerous ridiculous decisions from the referee, was a just second booking. Really needs to concentrate throughout the matches. He has the potential to be integral to Amorim's system, yet these moments where he loses focus are hindering United and are leading to uncertainty at the back.

Alejandro Garnacho 7

Garnacho did not get much of the ball in the first-half, but at the start of the second-half he was United's most threatening player. Constantly ran at the Arsenal defence and was a nightmare for them to deal with. Robbed the ball off the defence and set Fernandes up for the opener excellently.

Bruno Fernandes 7

Another impressive display from the captain, who is coming to life on the big stage. He was wrongfully booked despite being taken down on the edge of the Arsenal box, yet he kept his wits about him throughout the match and took away the opening goal in brilliant fashion. Fernandes was all over the pitch yet again.

Rasmus Hojlund 5

Probably United's quietest player. He found it difficult to get on the ball with William Saliba and Gabriel so close to him, yet won a number of fouls and at times linked up well with the other forwards. He needs to improve or United will look towards the market for another forward.

Substitutions

Amad Diallo 5

Pressed and pressed, constantly troubling the Arsenal defence even with United a man down. Took his penalty brilliantly.

Toby Collyer 6

Injected some well-needed energy in the closing stages of the match and was unlucky that the ball did not ricochet in his path at one point. Stepped up on such a big stage.

Joshua Zirkzee 7

Came on with Amad and Collyer and he was really bright on the ball. Could have put United in front, and looked at his bright self when surrounded by Arsenal players. Took real courage to take the winning penalty, and he took it in style.

Tyrell Malacia 5

Came on in extra-time and slotted into the United defence seamlessly. Starting to get up to speed with regular minutes.

Leny Yoro 5

Came on with 15 minutes left to play to solidify the defence and give United more legs at the back. Solid yet again and slotted in his penalty.

Manager - Ruben Amorim: 8

Amorim got his game plan spot on today. In the first-half, United were matching Arsenal in midfield and were looking really resilient. Following the red card, United shifted to a defensive style of play and it worked wonders. The players are fighting for him and are starting to show that his system can trouble the big boys. Needs to get these performances week in, week out.