LONDON: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said his team showed improvement after beating Arsenal on penalties in the third round of the FA Cup at the Emirates Stadium.
United fans have often been fooled by the team’s false revival over the past few seasons under the management of Erik ten Hag and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Amorim seems to be following in the footsteps of his previous manager when three matches without defeat were followed by a series of disappointing results – except for the win over Manchester City.
However, after managing to perform differently when tying Premier League leaders Liverpool last weekend, United continued to be consistent by beating Arsenal to maintain their mission of defending the FA Cup title.
Amorim said he was happy with the improvement his team showed compared to the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal in league action last month, with both goals coming from set pieces.
“I think we played, especially in the first half, better than in the first game.
“We were better in dead ball situations today, more aggressive. We showed a different spirit, even though we were playing with 10 men, we were better in that aspect,” said Amorim.
United’s second-choice goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and striker Joshua Zirkzee emerged as heroes in the penalty shootout after the game was tied 1-1 in normal time.
Zirkzee was booed during the defeat to Newcastle last month, while Bayindir was blamed when United were knocked out of the League Cup by Tottenham Hotspur.