Amorim Praises United's Resilience After Dramatic FA Cup Victory

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim hailed his team's improvement after their FA Cup penalty shootout win over Arsenal, citing progress in set-piece defense and team spirit.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim expressed his satisfaction with his team's progress after their dramatic FA Cup penalty shootout victory over Arsenal on Sunday. The win marked a positive step forward for United, who have endured a difficult start to life under Amorim's leadership. Despite a few false dawns in recent seasons, Amorim's team is showing signs of improvement, building on their impressive display against Liverpool last weekend.

Amorim acknowledged that his team's development has been a work in progress, with some setbacks along the way. After a promising three-game unbeaten run to start his tenure, United's form dipped, but they have since shown resilience, including an unexpected win over Manchester City. Amorim was pleased with his team's performance against Arsenal, particularly in comparison to their 2-0 league defeat last month. “I think we played, especially in the first half, we played better than in the first game,” Amorim told reporters.

Amorim highlighted specific areas of improvement, including United's set-piece defense. “We were better in set pieces today, more aggressive,” he said. “We showed a different spirit, even with 10 men, we are improving on that aspect.” The manager's praise was also extended to second-choice goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and forward Joshua Zirkzee, who proved to be United's heroes in the penalty shootout. Their performances were a welcome response to recent criticism, and Amorim will be hoping they can continue to contribute to the team's progress.

Joshua Zirkzee and Altay Bayindir, two players who had faced criticism recently, proved to be instrumental in Manchester United's FA Cup third-round win over Arsenal. Zirkzee, who was booed off the pitch as a substitute in United's defeat to Newcastle United last month, and Bayindir, who was blamed for the team's League Cup exit against Tottenham Hotspur, both played key roles in the victory. Their performances were a testament to the unpredictable nature of football, as highlighted by manager Ruben Amorim.

A special mention for Josh Zirkzee.

He deserved that moment ❤️#MUFC || #FACup pic.twitter.com/mnMDwf6rrX

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 12, 2025

Amorim reflected on the cyclical nature of a footballer's life, where fortunes can change quickly. “Your life as a footballer has cycles and moments and sometimes in one week your life can change,” he said. Amorim used Bayindir as an example, noting how the goalkeeper went from being criticized for his performance against Tottenham to being hailed as a hero in the FA Cup win. Similarly, Zirkzee's experience with the fans has come full circle, as he received support from the crowd despite facing criticism a few weeks ago. Amorim emphasized the importance of humility and hard work, saying, “You have to continue (being) humble, to work every day, your time will come.”

Amorim addressed questions about Marcus Rashford's future at Manchester United, stating that he was unsure if the forward had played his last game for the club. “He's a player for Manchester United, we'll see, he has to work, he has to represent his club and he loves his club, but I have to make choices,” Amorim said. The manager's comments suggest that Rashford's future at United remains uncertain, with Amorim prioritizing the needs of the team.