The FA Cup third-round clash between fierce rivals Arsenal and Manchester United exploded into life during 10 minutes of madness.

After a forgettable first half, United stunned the Emirates crowd when Alejandro Garnacho expertly set up Bruno Fernandes to deliver a perfect finish, bending the ball around Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

The goal gave the match the jolt it desperately needed, but few will have expected the drama that was to follow.

61 mins: Dalot sees red

Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot is already on a yellow card when he dived into a reckless – and, frankly, ludicrous – challenge on Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino. Dalot certainly does not get the ball, and he was perhaps fortunate not to have taken more of the man.

Arsenal are furious, with Mikel Arteta sprinting towards the touchline in outrage, but there was no need for any appeals: referee Andrew Madley was only ever going to take one decision. Dalot had to go.

The first consequence of Dalot’s moment of madness was that it left United needing to defend yet another set-piece (more of which shortly). The wider result was that it forced Ruben Amorim to rip up the tactical plan that had carried his team into a 1-0 lead.

When you are on a yellow card, you do not make a challenge that is reckless. The referee, Andy Madley, was in a good position to judge and the player rightly received a second yellow followed by red.

63 mins: Gabriel scores for Arsenal

From the free-kick Dalot conceded, Arsenal find an equaliser. The ball is initially played short but it is eventually worked wide to Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian’s cross, via a few bobbles, falls at the feet of Gabriel, whose low strike takes a deflection off Matthijs de Ligt on its way into United’s net.

69 mins: Havertz wins controversial penalty

With Arsenal now surging forward in search of a winner, Kai Havertz collects Raheem Sterling’s pass inside the penalty area and attempts to dribble past Harry Maguire. The German hits the turf as Maguire leans across to make the challenge. The only real contact, though, appears to be from Maguire’s arm on Havertz’s chest.

The penalty is given and the United defender cannot believe it, throwing his hands to his head in shock.

The penalty kick is a poor decision by Madley. Not only has he made the wrong decision to penalise Maguire, but Havertz should have received a yellow card for an act of simulation.

The FA Cup third round has no VAR available, but I suggest had there been VAR in operation, Madley would have been instructed to visit the monitor and encouraged to overturn his decision.

70 mins: Ugarte clashes with Havertz

From there, it all kicks off. Maguire has to be held back by two of his team-mates as he tries to get to Havertz. He then points towards the German, screaming insults.

There were also issues on the edge of the penalty area, where Manuel Ugarte grabs hold of Havertz and pushes into him with his head. When Alejandro Garnacho enters the fray at pace, his arms outstretched, Havertz falls to the ground. The melee then continues.

To add to the drama, after a lengthy wait while all this took place, Martin Odegaard’s penalty is saved by United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. It brings an end to a feisty, chaotic and breathless period of the game.

There is a lot going on when you have a mass confrontation in front of you. I was the guy in the middle when these two teams clashed at Old Trafford many years ago.

The Football Association will no doubt investigate this by charging both teams for failing to control their players.

I am convinced they will look closely at that illegal use of the head. In my opinion, there was a clear headbutt from Ugarte and this should have been seen and acted upon. I will be disappointed if the FA does not take action.

The FA will contact the match officials knowing that they will have the referees’ report in front of them by 9am on Monday morning. The match officials will be asked what they saw in relation to a potential headbutt. If they say they have not then the FA will take that into account and there is a risk that the player will be charged retrospectively, along with both teams.