Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim praises three coaching staff members after Arsenal win
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim lauded the influence of three members of his coaching staff after their penalty shootout win against Arsenal.
United went 1-0 up in the 52nd minute through Bruno Fernandes but Diogo Dalot was sent off in the 61st minute for a second bookable offence. Gabriel Magalhaes then equalised two minutes later.
Martin Odegaard failed to convert a generously-awarded penalty in the 72nd minute and United held on beyond extra time for a penalty shootout. United selected Joshua Zirkzee as their fifth spotkick taker, choosing centre backs Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martinez for the third and fourth kicks.
When asked if he was concerned that Zirkzee, who was goaded by thousands of United fans only 13 days earlier, was down to take the potential matchwinning kick, Amorim revealed that his coaching staff had chosen the penalty takers. "I was not [concerned] because I had the feeling we were going to win.
"But that part is not my part. The set pieces is not my part and today we were amazing at set pieces. Carlos (Fernandes) was really good, Andreas (Georgson) was really good and Manuel (Ferro) was really good.
"And they chose the right players to score the penalties, was not my part, it was them. They did a very good job."
Fernandes and Georgson are responsible for United's set-piece defending while Ferro is one of Amorim's first team coaches who followed him to United from Sporting.
United players were furious that referee Andrew Madley penalised Harry Maguire for a foul on Kai Havertz inside the area when there appeared to be little contact. The Video Assistant Referee was not in use as it was agreed by the Football Association to scrap it for the FA Cup third and fourth rounds out of fairness to all participating clubs.
Amorim was reluctant to dwell on a decision that ultimately did not cost United. "It’s far away. Thee players told me that it was not a penalty but let’s move on. We go to the next round and focus on the next game."
Amorim admitted United "suffered" during a gruelling two hours, half of it played with a man fewer. "I think it is also clear when we score first that helps us to suffer, it’s like more strength to suffer if something happened.
"When the opponent has one opportunity we can stop that game, we can calm down the game and we are understanding more the way we play football. Sometimes you are not playing well but you can control the game in certain moments. But it is clear we are improving in the way that we suffer, playing football. That is a good thing. It’s not nice but it is good for our team.
"With the ball, we had some difficulties. I think players like (Alejandro) Garnacho want to play open, playing inside, they need to suffer. I can put him open but I have to change the idea and it will take more time.
"It’s also good for a player with the quality of Garnacho and Amad if they are able to play inside and outside, they will be so much more complete. So I think the idea still needs a lot of time but in that part of the spirit to suffer, to understand the game, to make some pauses, on the game we are improving."
