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Manchester United summon spirit of ’99 to knock Arsenal out of FA Cup

rob smyth
·48-min read
Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir celebrates with his team-mates
Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir celebrates with team-mates after his shoot-out save secured victory - PA/Mike Egerton

Manchester United partied like it was 1999. It may have been a third-round FA Cup tie, rather than a semi-final, they may have won it on a penalty shoot-out rather than a Ryan Giggs wonder goal, but it was still a famous victory over Arsenal that will resonate.

And not least because it was Joshua Zirkzee who scored the fifth and decisive penalty in a shoot-out, after extra time, that will go down as one for the ages.

What a ballsy decision by United head coach Ruben Amorim – he later said it was the choice of his assistants Carlos Fernandes and Andreas Georgson – to nominate Zirkzee, so maligned, jeered, criticised so far in his United career, as his fifth taker. Zirkzee scored with a confidence that was at odds with his struggles.

Kai Havertz failed from the spot for Arsenal, the only miss of the shoot-out, with United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir saving from him. It capped a wretched afternoon for the forward who was accused of diving to earn a penalty in normal time and, unfortunately, missed two absolute sitters. At the final whistle, he went straight down the tunnel.

Martin Odegaard’s spot-kick was also superbly saved by Bayindir – the first time the Arsenal captain had missed a penalty – as Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to take advantage of playing against 10 men for an hour after Diogo Dalot was rightly sent off for a second yellow card.

In 1999 it had also been 1-1, United were again a player down after a dismissal, when Roy Keane was red-carded, and Arsenal missed another penalty, with Peter Schmeichel saving Dennis Bergkamp’s effort, before Giggs’s extraordinary solo goal won it in extra time.

United went on to win the treble, of course, that season. This time they are just trying to regain respectability and are beginning to achieve that under Amorim. Following the rousing 2-2 draw away to Liverpool last Sunday this was another key marker and it was also far better from United than when they lost 2-0 here in the Premier League on Dec 4.

For the Portuguese it was an affirming result, a builder of momentum and character, as United went ahead through Bruno Fernandes’s fine strike, after good work again from Alejandro Garnacho, only to be quickly pegged back by a deflected effort from Gabriel Magalhães.

That followed a mistake by Bayindir, who failed to clear a cross as he weakly punched the ball up into the air. At that point, Amorim’s decision to play his reserve goalkeeper looked like it would backfire, just as it had done in the Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat by Tottenham Hotspur.

Instead, Bayindir grew in confidence after diving low to his left to turn away Odegaard’s effort and was simply outstanding after that. He also extended himself to reach Havertz’s admittedly weak effort in the shoot-out.

Also exceptional were two of United’s centre-halves, with Harry Maguire winning every duel, it seemed, especially at set-pieces as he continued his own redemption arc, and Matthijs de Ligt emphatically delivering his best performance since his summer move from Bayern Munich.

Maguire made more clearances and blocks (16) than any other player while De Ligt won 100 per cent of his ground duels. One goal-line clearance from the Dutch international was simply astonishing as he somehow beat Leandro Trossard when the Arsenal substitute appeared certain to side-foot home. Instead De Ligt grabbed the net and celebrated as if he had scored.

Afterwards Arteta argued that Arsenal “didn’t get what we deserved” and while they had the chances – with United a player down – did they really do enough? The truth is Arsenal’s set-piece dependency, so heralded that there is even a mural for specialist coach Nicolas Jover outside the Emirates, is becoming a real hindrance to them.

It means they go into Wednesday’s must-win north London derby in the league having exited one cup competition and with their hopes of reaching the Carabao Cup final hanging by a thread after their 2-0 home defeat by Newcastle United last Tuesday.

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus leaves the pitch on a stretcher after suffering an injury in the FA Cup match against Manchester United on Sunday
A serious-looking injury to Gabriel Jesus compounded a miserable afternoon for Arsenal - Kin Cheung/AP

They will face Tottenham without Gabriel Jesus, who was taken off on a stretcher after hurting his knee as he challenged Fernandes. It infuriated the United captain, who demanded a foul and was booked for throwing his boot to the turf after it had been dislodged by Jesus.

With Bukayo Saka already out, it sharpens the focus even more on Arsenal’s weak attack, especially as Raheem Sterling came on and was ineffective. Whatever their arguments otherwise, it is indisputable they need a No 9.

After Fernandes’s goal, when Garnacho capitalised on a mistake by Gabriel, there were 10 minutes of madness. Dalot, on a yellow card as referee Andrew Madley struggled to keep control, foolishly lunged at Mikel Merino. He trudged off, Gabriel equalised and then Havertz ran into Maguire.

The penalty was wrongly awarded and there is no VAR in this competition with United furious as Manuel Ugarte – a warrior for them – clashed and Havertz again went down. Was it a headbutt? The midfielder escaped sanction but Odegaard failed to score and later the official United social-media account would claim “justice”.

Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte clashes with Arsenal's Kai Havertz during Sunday's FA Cup tie
Manuel Ugarte clashes with Kai Havertz after Arsenal were awarded a contentious penalty when Havertz went down in the area - Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Havertz had already missed one golden opportunity, miscuing wide and his second error was even worse as he fired over with Bayindir committed. He was just four yards out.

By now Amorim had bravely rung the changes with Zirkzee and the impressive Toby Collyer on at right wing-back, with Lisandro Martínez playing up front. Zirkzee finished in midfield alongside Fernandes. He also ended up the match-winner, running over to the United fans, in what unfolded, 26 years on from a similarly epic FA Cup tie. United face Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City, at home, in the next round in another echo of the club’s past.

06:51 PM GMT

Thanks and goodnight

That’s all for our coverage of a dramatic afternoon in north London. Thanks for your company; see you again soon.

The Man Utd matchwinners, Joshua Zirkzee and Altay Bayindir, embrace at the end of the game.
The Man Utd matchwinners, Joshua Zirkzee and Altay Bayindir, embrace at the end of the game. - Charlotte Wilson/Offside

06:41 PM GMT

Ruben Amorim’s reaction

They had more chances but the players fought so hard. It’s not that Arsenal deserved to lose but I think we deserved to win for the way we played and fought. It was really tough. We didn’t have the ball from the start but we were able to control the game without the ball.

I want to also say thank you to the fans – they were unbelievable. It was a good day for us. Now we have to rest because the players are very tired. I’m already thinking about the next game.

Sometimes you have the feeling that everything is going to be okay. I felt that from the start of the second half, and maybe Arsenal also felt that today was not their day. I’m really pleased with how we defended; set-pieces we were really strong.

We were facing a great team – they put new players on, they controlled the ball all the time. My players had to make sacrifices but we suffered together and showed great character.

[On Altay Bayindir] It doesn’t matter if you play one game or 90 games, it is always a joy to play for this club.

[On Joshua Zirkzee] He’s a good guy, he works a lot, and life can throw up beautiful things. He was a game-changer for us.

[On facing Leicester in the next round] I spoke to Ruud before I came and I’m looking forward to meeting with him. He’s a class guy – but we need to win.

06:33 PM GMT

Mikel Arteta’s reaction

It’s unbelievable. We deserved to win the game by a mile but the reality is we did not. That’s the only thing that will be judged. But I can’t [criticise the players]. I love my players and I love how good they are and what they do. From 1,000 games [like this] you should lose one and unfortunately it was this one. That’s the power of our industry, tour game. We have to understand that and move on.

[Why aren’t you taking your chances?] It’s football. Credit to the goalkeeper as well, he was probably their best player. You need things to go your way. Tonight they didn’t.

We equalised, then we had the penalty and then three big, big, big chances. You have to put them away. When you go to penalties you know it is the flick of a coin.

This is an incredible team. I am so proud of my players. I love my players, I couldn’t be prouder. It’s very difficult to demand any more than the performance they put in today. The ball has to go in the net.

[On Gabriel Jesus] No update but it’s not looking good. He was in quite a lot of pain and had to come off on a stretcher. It’s not looking good.

06:20 PM GMT

Watch: Bayindir makes matchwinning save from Havertz

06:17 PM GMT

Arsenal left to rue missed chances again

In their last two games, against Newcastle and Man Utd, have had 49 shots and a combined xG of 6.44 – but Gabriel’s equaliser today is the one time they have found the net.

Kai Havertz missed two excellent chances in normal time and then saw his penalty saved by Altay Bayindir.
Kai Havertz missed two excellent chances in normal time and then saw his penalty saved by Altay Bayindir. - Andrew Couldridge/Action Images via Reuters

06:11 PM GMT

Bayindir is Man Utd’s unlikely hero

06:07 PM GMT

The FA Cup fourth round draw

  • Man Utd v Leicester City

  • Leeds v Millwall or Dagenham & Redbridge

  • Brighton & Hove Albion v Chelsea

  • Preston or Charlton v Wycombe

  • Exeter v Nottingham Forest

  • Coventry v Ipswich Town

  • Blackburn v Wolverhampton Wanderers

  • Mansfield Town or Wigan Athletic v Fulham

  • Birmingham City v Newcastle United

  • Plymouth Argyle v Liverpool

  • Everton v Bournemouth

  • Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur

  • Southampton or Swansea v Burnley

  • Leyton Orient or Derby v Manchester City

  • Doncaster Rovers v Crystal Palace

  • Stoke v Cardiff

06:03 PM GMT

Man Utd to meet Leicester (and Ruud van Nistelrooy) in the last 32

We’ll have the rest of the fourth-round draw shortly.

06:01 PM GMT

Manchester United reaction

Bruno Fernandes

We suffered a lot with a man less and we sacrificed a lot, but at the end you get this [waves towards the United fans]. Whenever [Bayindir] gets his chance he is top-class for us and he truly deserves this moment.We want to celebrate but our focus is now Southampton [in midweek]. We have to give it back to these fans – every game, every day, wherever.

Altay Bayindir

I just help my team. I’m working every day to help this great team. I want to make everyone happy – the fans and everyone at this great club. If you’re a Manchester United player you have to be ready all the time even if you are not playing. Thank you.

We love [Ruben Amorim] and he is always trying to help us. He has a very good relationship with the players – he trusts us, we trust him and we are fighting together.

05:56 PM GMT

Zirkzee shows his courage

Giving Joshua Zirkzee the fifth penalty is such a bold move. That felt like a genuine make-or-break moment for him. Fortune favours the brave...? And the resilient, in United’s case. Huge defensive effort. Havertz has gone straight down the tunnel.

05:54 PM GMT

Zirkzee scores and Man Utd win!

Arsenal 1 (3) Man Utd 1 (5) Joshua Zirkzee cracks his penalty past Raya to complete a memorable victory for Manchester United!

They had no right to win that game after being reduced to 10 men just past the hour, but they defended with furious defiance and took an excellent set of penalties.

More importantly, Altay Bayindir made two marvellous penalty saves: the first from Martin Odegaard in the normal time, the second from Kai Havertz in the shootout. Poor Havertz had a day to forget.

05:53 PM GMT

Partey scores!

Penalties: Arsenal 3 Man Utd 4 Thomas Partey goes straight down the middle. It’s all on Joshua Zirkzee...

05:52 PM GMT

Martinez scores!

Penalties: Arsenal 2 Man Utd 4 Man Utd are one save or one kick away from victory! Martinez sat Raya down and scored nonchalantly.

05:52 PM GMT

Rice scores!

Penalties: Arsenal 2 Man Utd 3 Superb penalty, dragged into the bottom left corner. Bayindir went the right way but not even he could reach it.

05:51 PM GMT

Yoro scores! Arsenal 1 Man Utd 3

Penalties: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 3 Leny Yoro, just 19, scores superbly! He passed it into the bottom-left corner with Raya again going the wrong way.

05:50 PM GMT

Bayindir saves from Havertz!

Penalties: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 2 Another superb save low to his left. There wasn’t much pace on the kick but it was very precise and Bayindir was at full stretch to keep it out.

05:49 PM GMT

Amad scores!

Penalties: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 2 Another terrific penalty, whipped at pace to his right. Raya went the wrong way.

05:48 PM GMT

Odegaard scores!

Penalties: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1 That took courage after his penalty was saved in normal time. Bayindir dived the same way, to his left; Odegaard put it in the other corner.

05:48 PM GMT

Fernandes scores!

Penalties: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 1 A superb penalty; he calmly sat Raya down and passed the ball to his left.

05:46 PM GMT

Bruno Fernandes will take the first kick

Here we go.

05:43 PM GMT

Man Utd fans making all the noise

The United fans are making all the noise now. They can see the shift that their players have put in since the red card.

05:42 PM GMT

FT: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Odegaard’s high, hanging corner is headed towards goal and forced away. And that’s it: a compelling, old-school FA Cup tie will be decided by a penalty shootout.

05:41 PM GMT

120+1 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Partey’s stinging shot deflects behind for one last Arsenal corner. This is their last chance to avoid a penalty shootout...

05:40 PM GMT

120 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Whatever the outcome, the defiant spirit of Man Utd’s defending will encourage Ruben Amorim. They’ve all been brilliant but especially De Ligt and of course the goalkeeper Bayindir.

05:38 PM GMT

118 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Malacia heads behind for Arsenal’s umpteenth corner. Bayindir punches clear.

Moments later the stretching Havertz heads wide from Odegaard’s inswinging cross. He had two excellent chances earlier in the game but that was really tough.

05:35 PM GMT

115 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Sterling runs at Malacia, tries to chop back inside and is well challenged. Then he fouls Malacia, to the great frustration of the home crowd.

05:33 PM GMT

113 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Arsenal substitution Jorginho, who would have been nailed on to take a penalty, injured himself in making that important challenge on Amad. Kieran Tierney replaces him.

Jorginho was forced off through injury.
Jorginho was forced off through injury. - Mike Egerton/PA

05:32 PM GMT

111 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

A precise counter-attack from Man Utd leads to half a chance. Collyer plays in Mazraoui, who stands up a dangerous cross towards Amad at the far post. Jorginho dives with Amad to ensure he can’t get a clean header and the ball drifts wide of the far post.

05:30 PM GMT

110 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

I think the only penalty shootout between Arsenal and Man Utd, pre-season nonsense notwithstanding, was after a goalless draw in the 2005 FA Cup final. Man Utd dominated throughout but Arsenal’s penalties were nigh-on perfect. Jens Lehmann saved from Paul Scholes and Patrick Vieira won the FA Cup with his lack kick for Arsenal.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney look dejected during the penalty shootout at the end of the 2005 FA Cup final against Arsenal.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney look dejected during the penalty shootout at the end of the 2005 FA Cup final against Arsenal. - John Peters/Manchester United

05:29 PM GMT

109 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Collyer, who has been tireless since coming on, does well to block Partey’s cross but it means another corner for Arsenal. They try something funky which ends with a looping header from Martinelli that is held comfortably enough by Bayindir.

05:27 PM GMT

106 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Great save by Raya! Not for the first time in this game, Zirkzee and Amad combine really neatly on the break. Zirkzee slides a low shot that takes a deflection off Partey and is set to sneak in at the near post until Raya changes direction, plunges to his right and fingertips it round the post. That is such a good save.

Joshua Zirkzee reacts after being denied by David Raya.
Joshua Zirkzee reacts after being denied by David Raya. - Marc Atkins/Getty Images

05:26 PM GMT

106 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Declan Rice gets the second period of extra time up and running. Arsenal have 15 minutes to make their advantage count.

05:23 PM GMT

HT in ET: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Partey’s deep cross is headed towards goal by Rice. Havertz can’t reach it on the stretch and Bayindir makes a comfortable save. That’s the last action of the first period of extra time.

After 15 minutes of almost ceaseless Arsenal pressure, and two outstanding pieces of defending from Matthijs de Ligt, it’s still 1-1 at the Emirates.

05:18 PM GMT

104 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Man Utd substitution Leny Yoro replaces a weary, limping Harry Maguire. He had a terrific game - all the United centre-backs have - and is embraced by United’s backroom staff.

Harry Maguire is replaced by Leny Yoro.
Harry Maguire is replaced by Leny Yoro. - David Klein/Reuters

05:18 PM GMT

101 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Substitution for Arsenal Thomas Partey replaces Jurrien Timber. Moments later, De Ligt makes an outstanding clearance off the line! Havertz squared the ball past Bayindir towards Trossard, barely two yards out, but De Ligt somehow got his leg round in front of Trossard to clear. That is quite brilliant.

05:12 PM GMT

97 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Rice curves it right under the crossbar again and Bayindir stretches to punch clear. Or did it come off the head of Mazraoui? Either way it’s another corner, this time on the right.

Odegaard doesn’t beat the front man and United get the ball away. For about five seconds.

05:11 PM GMT

96 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Arsenal win their first corner of extra time. Declan Rice is on the field which will increase the quality of the delivery from the left...

05:10 PM GMT

95 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Rice is again found in space on the left side of the area. This time he rakes a low right-foot shot that is superbly blocked by the sliding De Ligt. Classic, over-my-dead-body defending.

05:09 PM GMT

93 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Arsenal are now playing with Martinelli as a very, very, very attacking left-back. Man Utd have Malacia at left wing-back with Mazraoui on the right and a midfield two of Collyer and Fernandes.

Arsenal (4-1-4-1) Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Martinelli; Jorginho; Sterling, Odegaard, Rice, Trossard; Havertz.

Man Utd (5-2-2) Bayindir; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia; Collyer, Fernandes; Amad, Zirkzee.

05:06 PM GMT

91 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Amad Diallo has the first touch of extra time. Both teams have made another substitution. Arsenal have brought on Leandro Trossard for Myles Lewis-Skelly; Man Utd have introduced Tyrell Malacia in place of Manuel Ugarte.

05:00 PM GMT

FT: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

The last act of normal time is a dangerous cross from Fernandes that rolls just behind Zirkzee and Amad. If the first half was an absolute stinker, the second half was a pulsating, spiteful throwback to the golden age of Arsenal v Manchester United.

Mikel Arteta delivers a team-talk before extra-time.
Mikel Arteta delivers a team-talk before extra-time. - Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC

04:58 PM GMT

90+5 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Man Utd break dangerously from the resulting corner but Zirkzee delays his pass and Amad is offside. That was a chance. It was only two on three but with an earlier pass Amad would have been clean through.

04:57 PM GMT

90+4 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Lovely save by Bayindir! Jorginho fires a quick pass into Rice, in a bit of space on the left side of the area. He batters a low shot across goal that is fingertipped round the far post by Bayindir. That’s his third superb save of the second half.

Declan Rice can't believe he hasn't won the game for Arsenal.
Declan Rice can’t believe he hasn’t won the game for Arsenal. - David Klein/Reuters

04:55 PM GMT

90+3 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

The corner is cleared, Arsenal come again and Timber shoots well wide from distance.

04:54 PM GMT

90+2 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Martinelli beats Amad, playing right wing-back, and stands up a nice cross that is headed behind by Martinez.

04:53 PM GMT

90 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

There will be seven minutes of added time. Arsenal break from a Man Utd free-kick, with De Ligt and Maguire trapped upfield. Sterling runs to the edge of the area before having a shot blocked, then Collyer smashes the ball into a galaxy far, far away.

04:51 PM GMT

88 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Great chance for Havertz! Odegaard teases another dangerous ball into the area from the inside-right channel. It hits Fernandes, running towards his own goal, and bounces kindly for Havertz, who flicks it instinctively over the bar from six yards.

And Havertz must score...
And Havertz must score... - GLYN KIRK/AFP

04:50 PM GMT

88 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Man Utd threaten to take the lead on the break. Zirkzee sparked the move with a superb run and pass to Amad. He moved to the edge of the area and squared it back to Zirkzee, whose slightly tame low shot was half blocked and ricocheted past the supporting Collyer.

04:48 PM GMT

Watch: Bayindir saves Odegaard’s penalty

04:46 PM GMT

84 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Man Utd have barely crossed the halfway line in the last 10 minutes. It’s hard to see them surviving another 40 minutes like this, although we said exactly the same thing in that 1999 semi-final. For now they just need to get to extra-time.

04:44 PM GMT

82 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

How much has the absence of VAR contributed to the chaos of this second half, do we think? I’m not sure all that pushing, shoving and arguing would happen if there was VAR this afternoon. The players know they can get away with it.

04:43 PM GMT

81 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Triple substitution for Man Utd Toby Collyer, Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo replace Mainoo, Hojlund and Garnacho.

04:42 PM GMT

79 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

There are so many echoes of the classic 1999 semi-final between these sides. Man Utd were 1-0 up before losing a goal and a man in quick succession. Then their keeper made a brilliant penalty save. All we need now is somebody to homage Ryan Giggs’ winning goal.

04:39 PM GMT

76 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Fine save by Bayindir! Odegaard teases a lovely ball onto the head of Rice, six yards out. He heads back across goal and Bayindir flies to his left to punch it over the bar. That’s another terrific save, although Rice should probably have scored.

04:38 PM GMT

75 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

This is a proper cup tie now. It’s also a proper Arsenal v Manchester United game. Almost old-school in the level of tension, rivalry and rage. Everyone is fuming with each other.

04:37 PM GMT

74 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

So much has happened since the red card that I haven’t had time to tell you that Garnacho is playing at right wing-back. Mazraoui, who switched with Dalot at half-time, is on the left.

04:36 PM GMT

Watch: Gabriel equalises for Arsenal

04:36 PM GMT

73 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Arsenal substitution Declan Rice replaces Mikel Merino.

Apparently Gabriel, Kai Havertz and Harry Maguire were the players who were booked in the aftermath of that penalty decision. Not sure how Ugarte avoided one but there was so much going on so I may have misidentified him.

Gabriel squabbles with Lisandro Martinez after Arsenal were awarded a controversial penalty.
Gabriel squabbles with Lisandro Martinez after Arsenal were awarded a controversial penalty. - David Klein/Reuters

04:34 PM GMT

Bayindir saves Odegaard’s penalty!

72 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1 Told you the second half would be better! Bayindir has made a brilliant save, getting down a long way to his left to keep out Odegaard’s penalty. That wasn’t a bad penalty at all; it was a stunning stop.

Altay Bayindir is about to make an outstanding save from Martin Odegaard's penalty.
Altay Bayindir is about to make an outstanding save from Martin Odegaard’s penalty. - Julian Finney/Getty Images

04:33 PM GMT

70 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

Maguire went looking for Havertz to accuse him of diving, then Ugarte leaned into Havertz head first and knocked him over. It looked like a (very strong) lean rather than a headbutt.

Somebody was booked in the aftermatch but nobody seems to know who it was.

04:31 PM GMT

Penalty to Arsenal!

69 min Harry Maguire is fuming but there’s no VAR so this won’t be overturned. Sterling scurried into the area and fed Havertz, who moved past Maguire and went over. It’s very, very, very soft.

And now it’s all kicking off! Harry Maguire has totally lost his head.

04:28 PM GMT

67 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

That moment of brainlessness from Dalot has already cost his team in the most obvious sense, because Arsenal scored from the resulting free-kick. United now have a long, long time (extra time, anyone?) to stop the red card from costing them any further.

04:28 PM GMT

66 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1

It’s all Arsenal now. Sterling scurries round the back on the right and pulls the ball back towards Timber (I think). It ricochets to Merino, whose shot deflects over the bar.

04:25 PM GMT

Goal!

63 min: Arsenal 1 Man Utd 1 (Gabriel) The game has turned on its head! Gabriel Magalhaes, at fault for Fernandes’s goal, has equalised moments after the red card for Dalot. Bayindir didn’t deal with an up and under, Gabriel hooked the ball goalwards and it took a decisive deflection off De Ligt.

04:24 PM GMT

Dalot sent off!

61 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 1 Diogo Dalot, already on a yellow card, flies into a challenge on Merino, who sees him coming and lifts the ball over him. Dalot gets the slightest touch on the ball but not enough to invalidate the foul. It’s a clear second yellow card, despite Dalot’s complaints, and a pretty brainless challenge in truth.

04:22 PM GMT

60 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 1

Saliba goes down holding his face after being shrugged off by Hojlund. There was a hint of elbow but the referee waved it away. Play continues and United don’t quite make the most of a three-on-three break.

They do win a corner, which is punched away desperately by the backpedalling Raya. No matter: a foul had been given.

04:21 PM GMT

58 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 1

This has not been a match of huge quality, so that finish from Fernandes has come out of nowhere. A rare mistake by Gabriel Magalhaes in the build-up, making a real mess of things and gifting the ball to Garnacho.

And then two minutes later, Havertz fluffs the best chance Arsenal have created all game. There’s your storyline...

04:19 PM GMT

56 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 1

Mainoo is booked for stopping a quick free-kick.

04:18 PM GMT

54 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 1

Great chance for Havertz! Arsenal almost equalise straight away. After an extended spell of penalty-box pressure, Maguire’s defensive header hits Martinelli and falls kindly for Arsenal. Hee lays it off to Havertz, who somehow slices wide of the near post from eight yards. That was Arsenal’s best chance by a distance.

04:13 PM GMT

Goal!

52 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 1 (Fernandes) Bruno Fernandes scores a belter! The goal has come against the run of play at both ends, not that United will care. It stemmed from a misjudgement by Gabriel, who headed the ball against Garnacho on the halfway line and then slipped. That allowed Garnacho to charge into the space at a backpedalling defence. He moved into the area and squared the ball carefully across to Fernandes, who smashed a brilliant first-time shot back across Raya. Fernandes’ technique was immaculate because that wasn’t the easiest ball to strike first time.

Bruno Fernandes shows superb technique to give Man Utd the lead.
Bruno Fernandes shows superb technique to give Man Utd the lead. - Andrew Couldridge/Action Images via Reuters

04:13 PM GMT

51 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Martinelli’s free-kick is headed away bravely by Maguire, who knew he was going to take a hit from the side a split-second later. So far Man Utd have defended set-pieces really well.

04:11 PM GMT

50 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Dalot crumps Lewis-Skelly just outside the area on the left and is booked. This is a chance for Arsenal...

04:10 PM GMT

49 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Jorginho’s loose pass towards Gabriel is nicked by Garnacho, but Arsenal recover well and Man Utd end up going all the way back to Bayindir. Tremendous.

04:08 PM GMT

47 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

A reminder that we’ll have extra time and penalties if necessary. There are no replays in the FA Cup third round.

04:07 PM GMT

46 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

The good news for Arsenal is that Martin Odegaard has come out for the second half. They really can’t afford to lose him on top of Saka, Nwaneri, Jesus, White, Tomiyasu...

03:58 PM GMT

Half-time verdict

That was truly the worst half of football I have seen for a long, long time. So frustrating. One team – Arsenal – playing for set-pieces and the other – Manchester United – playing for a penalty shoot-out. Both coaches have to get more out of their players than this. Just dreadful so far. Hopefully we can get a game.

03:52 PM GMT

HT: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Let’s take the positives: the second half cannot be as bad as the first.

Alejandro Garnacho has a rare shot at goal during an uneventful first half.
Alejandro Garnacho has a rare shot at goal during an uneventful first half. - GLYN KIRK/AFP

03:51 PM GMT

45+5 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

It’s going from bad to worse for Arsenal. Martin Odegaard winced a little after that free-kick and he can barely jog as the match approaches half-time. Arsenal will hope it’s an impact injury; if it’s a muscle problem they are in trouble.

03:49 PM GMT

45+3 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Odegaard whips the free-kick over the bar. This first half has been a bit of a stinker.

03:47 PM GMT

45+1 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Martinez, who has been booked, fouls Odegaard 22 yards from goal. There wasn’t enough in that for a second yellow card – but there might be the next time he fouls someone.

03:45 PM GMT

45 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Fernandes plays a good long pass to release Hojlund on the right. He cuts inside and feeds Mainoo, whose early shot from 25 yards is blocked by Merino. Arsenal break through Martinelli, who is one v one with De Ligt on the Arsenal left. De Ligt times his tackle well.

03:44 PM GMT

44 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

After the usual rough and tumble in the six-yard box, Martinelli’s corner is held comfortably by Bayindir.

03:42 PM GMT

42 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

It has not been a thriller so far but the good news for Arsenal is that Martin Odegaard, who has been struggling with illness recently, looks much more like his usual self today. He’s pulling the strings again and just produced a fabulous pass for Gabriel Martinelli.

United’s strategy seems to be to soak up the pressure and strike on the counter, but they have created little. The away side are furious about not being given a free-kick on the edge of the box, after Bruno Fernandes went down under a challenge by Gabriel Jesus. From where I’m sitting, it looked like they had a point.

That challenge seems to have caused real damage to Jesus... he’s coming off on a stretcher. That is the last thing Arsenal need.

Gabriel Jesus landed awkwardly after a challenge on Bruno Fernandes.
Gabriel Jesus landed awkwardly after a challenge on Bruno Fernandes. - Zohaib Alam/MUFC

03:40 PM GMT

40 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Arsenal substitution More injury problems for Arsenal. Gabriel Jesus, who landed awkwardly after that challenge on Fernandes, is being stretchered off with his shirt over his face. That doesn’t look good at at all. Raheem Sterling replaces him.

03:39 PM GMT

38 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Mazraoui surges down the right and tees up Fernandes in the D. He is about to shoot when he is clearly fouled from behind by Gabriel Jesus but the referee waves play on. Fernandes throws his boot in disgust and is booked.

Bruno Fernandes shows his boot to the referee.
Bruno Fernandes shows his boot to the referee. - David Klein/Reuters

03:36 PM GMT

35 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Raya makes a comfortable near-post save from Garnacho, who had no support and tried his luck from a tight angle.

03:33 PM GMT

33 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Kobbie Mainoo’s long-range effort is the only shot on target at either end. Arsenal are still dominating possession (63 per cent last time I checked) but the first half has become increasingly scruffy.

03:31 PM GMT

Watch: Martinelli goal disallowed for offside

03:30 PM GMT

29 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Martinez is booked for a forearm into the face of Gabriel Jesus as they competed for a high ball. Jesus is holding his knee to maybe he fell awkwardly too.

Gabriel Jesus goes down.
Gabriel Jesus goes down. - Andrew Couldridge/Action Images via Reuters

03:29 PM GMT

28 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

It looks like Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has a problem with his eye. Perhaps a contact lens issue? He was on the touchline before that Arsenal corner, being prodded and poked by a physio.

David Raya receives treatment.
David Raya receives treatment. - IAN KINGTON/AFP

03:28 PM GMT

28 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

An excellent defensive header from Mazraoui gives Arsenal their first corner. Martinelli curls it right under the crossbar and Mazraoui produces another very good header to clear the danger.

03:24 PM GMT

24 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

That’s much better from United. After a long spell of possession, Mainoo hits a crisp low drive that is saved low to his left by Raya. It was a comfortable enough save but a decent effort.

03:22 PM GMT

21 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

That goal may have been disallowed but it feels like one is coming because Arsenal are much the better team. Man Utd have been really poor going forward.

Bruno Fernandes has had a quiet start to the game.
Bruno Fernandes has had a quiet start to the game. - David Klein/Reuters

03:20 PM GMT

18 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Martinelli has a goal disallowed for offside. There’s no VAR and Arsenal’s aren’t happy. Jesus’s pass, which I think was intended for Havertz, deflected off Maguire and through to Martinelli in an offside position. He finished coolly but the flag went up straight away.

Maguire did not deliberately play the ball so even with VAR the decision would not have been overturned.

Gabriel Martinelli beats Altay Bayindir but his goal was disallowed for offside.
Gabriel Martinelli beats Altay Bayindir but his goal was disallowed for offside. - Alex Pantling/Getty Images

03:18 PM GMT

18 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

It has been a dominant start by Arsenal -- albeit without any clear chances yet -- and the home crowd are feeding off it. The fans here are expecting goals today. The longer it goes without one, though, the more edgy it will become.

03:17 PM GMT

17 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

A sliced clearance from Dalot almost causes problems for United. Eventually Ugarte gets across to boot the ball away. But it keeps coming back at Man Utd, who have been poor in possession.

03:15 PM GMT

15 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

There may be some surprise and disappointment from Manchester United fans that Amad Diallo is only on the bench. Fresh from signing his new long-term contract it would have appeared the 22-year-old was certain to start. But the argument from head coach Ruben Amorim is that he wants to keep all his players on their toes and, even more so, that Alejandro Garnacho has earned the right to play in this tie especially after his impressive contribution as a second-half substitute in last Sunday’s 2-2 draw away to Liverpool. Amorim wants to increase the competition for places.

03:14 PM GMT

14 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Another free-kick to Arsenal on the left wing, this time a bit deeper. This one is curled straight into the box and headed wide by Gabriel, 12 yards out.

03:11 PM GMT

11 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Garnacho catches Gabriel on the ankle and is given a warning rather than a yellow card by the referee Andy Madley.

Man Utd haven’t got going at all in attack; Ruben Amorim looks displeased on the touchline.

Ruben Amorim shouts instructions to his team.
Ruben Amorim shouts instructions to his team. - IAN KINGTON/AFP

03:10 PM GMT

10 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Arsenal’s first set-piece opportunity comes from a free-kick on the left wing. Odegaard takes it short to Jorginho, who drives it towards Havertz beyond the far post. He’s offside and that’s the end of that.

03:08 PM GMT

8 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Arsenal continue to dominate possession and probe for space. Martinelli tries to run Ugarte, who gets between man and ball and allows it to run behind for a goalkick. Good defending.

Manuel Ugarte shields the ball from Gabriel Martinelli.
Manuel Ugarte shields the ball from Gabriel Martinelli. - Kin Cheung/AP

03:05 PM GMT

5 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

There’s a decent pace to the game, with Arsenal snapping the ball around and Man Utd trying to press whenever possible. Odegaard flips a nice pass over the top to Jesus, whose cross on the stretch is too close to the keeper Bayindir.

William Saliba gets to the ball ahead of Rasmus Hojlund.
William Saliba gets to the ball ahead of Rasmus Hojlund. - GLYN KIRK/AFP

03:03 PM GMT

3 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Here’s a picture of those empty seats mentioned earlier in the blog (2:15pm) by Sam Dean.

Empty seats at the Emirates
Empty seats at the Emirates - Sam Dean/Telegraph

03:02 PM GMT

2 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Gabriel Jesus has started on the right as expected, with Martinelli on the left and Havertz up front.

03:00 PM GMT

1 min: Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

And they’re off. Manchester United, in their blue change strip, kick off from right to left as we watch.

02:55 PM GMT

Five minutes to kick off

Let’s have a reminder of the teams shall we.

Arsenal (4-1-4-1) Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Jorginho; Gabriel Jesus, Odegaard, Merino, Martinelli; Havertz.
Substitutes: Neto, Zinchenko, Tierney, Kiwior, Partey, Rice, Trossard, Sterling, Butler-Oyedeji.

Manchester United (3-4-2-1) Bayindir; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Garnacho, Fernandes; Hojlund.
Substitutes: Onana, Malacia, Yoro, Diallo, Casemiro, Collyer, Eriksen, Antony, Zirkzee.

Referee Andy Madley.

02:44 PM GMT

Both teams to wear change strips

Arsenal and Man Utd usually wear red but both will be in change strips today to mark the fourth year of Arsenal’s No More Red initiative.

02:41 PM GMT

Mikel Arteta on his team selection

We need some freshness, we have a lot of games and a really intense week. It will be a different game [to the Premier League win last month] – we will try to be better than them.

Mikel Arteta arrives at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta arrives at the Emirates. - Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC

02:41 PM GMT

Ruben Amorim’s pre-match thoughts

Amad had a small issue in the week and I really like Garnacho – he’s been playing really well from the bench training really well so we thought it was a good opportunity for him to start a game.

We are focussed on being competitive and on the small things like set pieces. We have to be brave and show more aggression in the final third.

Altay Bayindir starts in goal for Manchester United.
Altay Bayindir starts in goal for Manchester United. - Ash Donelon/Manchester United

02:34 PM GMT

Arteta struggling to replace Saka

Since Bukayo Saka’s injury, Mikel Arteta has tried Gabriel Martinelli, Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard in Saka’s usual position on the right wing. Of those three, the most successful was Nwaneri. But now Nwaneri is injured, so Arteta needs to try something new again. Based on the teamsheet, it looks it might be the turn of Gabriel Jesus on that flank.

These constant changes are the ultimate proof of how difficult Arsenal have found the task of replacing Saka’s attacking threat.

Gabriel Jesus looks set to play on the right wing for Arsenal.
Gabriel Jesus looks set to play on the right wing for Arsenal. - Alex Pantling/Getty Images

02:33 PM GMT

Sanchez transfer shaped Arsenal’s future – and ruined United’s

The story of Sánchez’s calamitous spell in Manchester is well known. The player himself has provided much of the colour, saying in 2020 that he wanted to leave after just one day. “I remember the first training session I had, I realised a lot of things,” he said. “After the session I got home and I told my family and my agent, ‘Can you not rip up the contract to go back to Arsenal?’”

Read more...

Alexis Sanchez signs for Manchester United, a move that turned out to be disastrous for both player and club.
Alexis Sanchez signs for Manchester United, a move that turned out to be disastrous for both player and club. - Manchester United/Getty Images

02:29 PM GMT

Tamworth take Tottenham to extra-time

One of the great FA Cup shocks could be on the cards in Staffordshire, where National League Tamworth have kept Tottenham scoreless after 90 minutes – and they almost won the game in injury time.

Extra-time is about to begin; you can follow the action with Will Conroy.

02:15 PM GMT

From our man at the Emirates

There will be around 1,000 empty seats at the Emirates Stadium today after Arsenal were unable to issue a full allocation of 9,000 to Manchester United supporters.

The safety advisory group, made up of various stakeholders, ruled that the full allocation — which included seats in the upper tiers — could not be given due to persistent standing of away fans.

Under FA rules, away teams are entitled to an allocation of up to 15 per cent. In this case, United fans have received 13.3 per cent.

Both clubs and the relevant parties attempted to find a solution that would have resulted in community groups receiving the tickets, but this was ultimately not possible.

02:13 PM GMT

The story of the ‘five-minute final’

One minute before I was shattered, thinking: “Am I going to lose again?” Having been in the lead so long, that negativity came back massively. Then, suddenly I’m in ecstasy. What a feeling.

Read more...

Arsenal celebrate their astonishing victory over Manchester United in the 1979 FA Cup final.
Arsenal celebrate their astonishing victory over Manchester United in the 1979 FA Cup final. - Hulton Archive/Getty Images

02:10 PM GMT

Ruben Amorim on Kobbie Mainoo and Mark Robins

Ruben Amorim embarks on his FA Cup career at Arsenal joking he might need a “Mark Robins moment” at some point in his already turbulent Manchester United reign.

The goal by the former United striker in a third round win at Nottingham Forest in 1990 is one of the most famous in the club’s history as it is widely accepted to have saved the job of Sir Alex Ferguson, early in his Old Trafford tenure.

The tie took place a few days before Amorim’s fifth birthday but it is one that the new United manager knows all about and he believes shows the relevance of the competition both for the club’s history, and for his current squad.

“I know that story. I think it saved his job, not by winning the cup, but it was an earlier round, I think, against strong opponents,” said Amorim.

“They were saying ‘Fergie out’ and then they won and then they reached the final and won it. And I I know that. Maybe I will need that in the future, I don’t know!

“But I think winning cup games is important for the confidence of the players. Because the feeling of winning, that feeling gives you so much confidence, if you win one thing, you believe that you can win more.

“Then that feeling is addictive. You feel it and then it’s really easy to follow that, to try to win it again. But for me, last year they won the FA Cup. But it’s not just that. It’s to prove every day in every game that you can win it, not just in the final, on the good pitch with a full stadium. It is to win it when the storm is there, against Nottingham, Bournemouth.”

Those recent home defeats to Forest and Bournemouth have underlined the inconsistency of Amorim’s team, especially when compared to last weekend’s battling league draw at Liverpool.

The Anfield performance underscored the chronic inconsistency shown by United so far under Amorim, with the new United manager telling his players he expects to see them on their knees, exhausted, at the end of every match, as many were after holding Liverpool.

“For example, against Bournemouth, we had City and Tottenham (before),” he said. “We did very good jobs in that week and then the third match, you have to focus again and to be really competitive and you feel that the team dropped the levels of playing.

“So we need to improve on that, not in the big games, because I’m not worried about that. But to be consistent every day, that is my biggest concern.

“It’s simply to show that if we want to be competitive in that way, because we were not perfect, we can win any match here. But we need to suffer. We need to run and you feel it, because I saw it, when the referee finished the game, some of my players were really tired and then go down on the pitch (exhausted) and you don’t see that in all the games.

“So we have to focus on these details. It’s so clear that if they want, if they really want, we can win any match.”
There should certainly be no need for Amorim to motivate his players against another elite opponent, at the Emirates. And he admits he is looking for one of his emerging young players, in particular, to continue his recent improvements.

“I think Kobbie Mainoo is improving a lot during these last matches,” he said. “I think you guys feel that, and you sell to Kobbie Mainoo that he is the finished product. He is not. He has so much potential to grow up even more. He’s really, really good, but he can be so much better.”

02:04 PM GMT

Manchester United team news

Ruben Amorim makes two changes from the XI that started the 2-2 draw at Anfield. Cup goalkeeper Altay Bayindir starts ahead of Andre Onana and Alejandro Garnacho replaces Amad Diallo, who has a “little injury” and is on the bench. Marcus Rashford isn’t in the squad.

02:03 PM GMT

Arsenal team news

Mikel Arteta makes three changes from the Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle on Tuesday. Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino and Jorginho come into the side; Leandro Trossard, Declan Rice and Thomas Partey drop to the bench.

Arsenal (4-1-4-1) Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Jorginho; Gabriel Jesus, Odegaard, Merino, Martinelli; Havertz.
Substitutes: Neto, Zinchenko, Tierney, Kiwior, Partey, Rice, Trossard, Sterling, Butler-Oyedeji.

Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard both start for Arsenal.
Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard both start for Arsenal. - Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC

01:57 PM GMT

Amorim let a ‘storm’ batter Man Utd – Arteta chose a different route

This is a fascinating piece by Sam Dean on how Mikel Arteta and Ruben Amorim set about cleaning up the mess they inherited at the Emirates and Old Trafford respectively.

There are many similarities between the two managers — both were hired in their late thirties, both were brought in midway through a campaign — but their strategies could hardly be more different.

Compare Arteta’s unwillingness to play 4-3-3 without the appropriate players, for example, to Amorim’s insistence on deploying his preferred back-three formation despite the shortcomings of his United squad. “I have to sell my idea,” Amorim has said in recent weeks. “I don’t have another one.”

Read more...

01:51 PM GMT

No VAR in FA Cup third round

The referee Andy Madley’s decision will be final this afternoon: there’s no VAR in the FA Cup third round to ensure consistency across all ties.

There are no replays either – the tie will be settled today, after extra-time and penalties if needs be.

A smiling Kai Havertz arrives at the Emirates.
A smiling Kai Havertz arrives at the Emirates. - Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC

01:44 PM GMT

Sterling and Rashford in danger of becoming England’s lost boys

By Sam Wallace

It would be fair to say Raheem Sterling is not the only one from England’s 2022 World Cup squad who went on to have a dismal record in 2024. Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Kalvin Phillips and the injury-wracked Mason Mount all had a wretched year.

Read more...

Raheem Sterling has struggled during his loan spell at Arsenal.
Raheem Sterling has struggled during his loan spell at Arsenal. - Catherine Ivill /Getty Images

01:36 PM GMT

Good afternoon

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live, minute-by-minute coverage of Arsenal v Manchester United in the FA Cup at the Emirates. This is the tie of the third round, followed by a whole lot of daylight. The latest score is Arsenal 14 Man Utd 13. That’s how many times they’ve won this competition; no other team is in double figures.

United are the holders after their stirringly improbable win over Manchester City in last year’s final. Arsenal won the competition in Mikel Arteta’s first season but haven’t been past the fourth round since then. For much of that time the FA Cup has felt like a secondary consideration for a team chasing greater glory in the Premier and Champions League. This year, with Liverpool in control of the title race for now, it will surely be a greater priority.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has had to deal with some growing discontent in recent weeks, particularly after the 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle in midweek, and wants the home fans to be patient.

“In my opinion it is crucial because the success that we have had is very, very related to the atmosphere and the energy that we have created amongst our supporters,” said Arteta. “We want to win the FA Cup. I don’t expect to get credit (for winning the FA Cup in 2020). I expect to get judged on what we do on the day. And what has happened in the past, in the future, it is not relevant.”

Manchester United produced their best performance under Ruben Amorim in last Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Anfield, but he wants to see a lot more swallows before he declares a summer.

“When the referee finished the game (at Anfield), some of the players were really tired and went down on the pitch and you don’t see it in all the games,” he said. “We need to improve on that, not in the big games because I’m not worried about that but to be consistent every day, that is my biggest concern.”

Today is most definitely a big game.

Kick off 3pm.