‘We are improving in the way we suffer’: Amorim delighted by shootout success
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A jubilant Ruben Amorim said he had sensed his Manchester United side would beat Arsenal at the outset of a controversial third round tie at the Emirates. Amorim’s side rode out a storm with 10 men to force penalties, sealing the win through Joshua Zirkzee’s clinical strike, and he claimed the outcome had been clear in his mind as soon as proceedings began.
![[Ruben Amorim directs his side at the Emirates]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/caa76126b1517350f28b753c10af18297aa076a1/0_0_5000_3335/master/5000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
“The players were really tired but I felt since the first minute that today was our day,” Amorim said. “I also felt a connection with our fans, our staff. It was a very good day for us in that aspect.”. By the end of extra time United were repelling Arsenal’s attacks with a makeshift unit that had been weakened just after the hour when Diogo Dalot was sent off. A majestic performance by their goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who saved spot kicks from Martin Ødegaard in normal time and Kai Havertz during the shootout, contributed heavily but Amorim detected a collective improvement in his side’s resilience.
“We showed a different spirit, even with 10 men,” he said. “We are improving in that aspect. I think we are understanding more the way we play football. Sometimes you are not playing well, but you can control the game in certain moments. It is clear that we are improving in the way we suffer playing football. It’s not nice, but it’s a good thing for the team.”.
While Bruno Fernandes, whose superbly-taken opener was cancelled out by Gabriel Magalhães, was United’s only scorer in open play the plaudits went to an oft-maligned Zirkzee. The Dutchman was barracked upon being substituted in the first half of last month’s home loss against Newcastle but was mobbed by his teammates at the end here and, along with the rarely-seen keeper Bayindir, must have felt entitled to enjoy a day in the sun.
