It was always going to end like this, a fact that became virtually unavoidable with the sight of Joshua Zirkzee gesticulating wildly towards the away stand before the penalty shootout at the end of this 1-1 FA Cup third-round draw, his shorts kicked up, chalk dust marking one leg, transformed in that moment into the Warrior-Zirkzee.
From then on, it looked as though it was ordained that Kai Havertz, who had stumbled accidentally to secure a crucial penalty in the early stages, would now spoil his team’s chances with a misplaced spot-kick that was so feeble he might have been able to run after it, catch it, and then have another shot.
And, of course, Zirkzee scored the winning penalty for Manchester United, side-footing the ball into the empty goal, then jubilantly pumping fists in celebration, before pausing to perhaps consider it better not to do that.
Zirkzee the Hero: 10-Player Manchester United Stun Arsenal in FA Cup Shootout
Zirkzee is a bit of an unusual footballer, a bit of a lumbering presence on the pitch, skilful with the ball, but perhaps lacking a certain level of ferocity. But this was a wonderful moment of personal liberation after a difficult stretch of results for the team.
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It was especially noteworthy when the key players involved were Zirkzee and also Harry Maguire, who had another outstanding game, and he now appears remarkably well-suited to the back three formation with double pivot at the base of this new style.
Mainly, this was a victory born out of spirit. United had a genuinely tinkered-together team on the pitch in extra time. Zirkzee as the lone attacking workhorse. Toby Collyer, Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo – that’s your central midfield.
Behind Maguire was the unobtrusive star of this game, diligently patrolling his allocated areas in his most attentive police-officer style, and doing so in a way that seems tactically crucial. It’s, of course, still very early days. But United have made a swift transition from being an unsteady, disjointed side, with room to move and a lack of cohesion, to a team who are actually uncomfortable to play against, with the capacity to strangle an opponent.
The three central defenders played with bravery, keepin’ high up and gettin’ involved in midfield where Manuel Ugarte excelled once more. Maguire’s proven effective in such a set-up, stuck in tight, never givin’ much room and holdin’ off opponents one-on-one. In ninety minutes, he made eleven clearances, blocked five shots, and won four headers, more than anyone else on the pitch had done in both areas. He looks his old self again – robust, reliable, with a bit of a rumpled edge, a spread-out build, and a soldier-like way of movin’. Amorim had asked for a bit more leadership, but when Maguire stepped up, it was hard to put your finger on exactly what that meant.
It was a VAR-free afternoon. For the neutral, it was an entertaining match, but marked by some unusual decisions, suggesting the referee, Andy Madley, wasn’t following the rules as closely as usual, almost careless and hasty. This contributed to the 11 minutes of chaos that defined the game.
With an hour elapsed and United 1-0 ahead, Diogo Dalot was given his marching orders. In just 90 seconds, Arsenal levelled up. Eight minutes later, they got a penalty, awarded after a dubious challenge from Havertz who had simulated contact with Maguire. At that stage, Maguire did something you can’t really quantify. He created a lot of commotion. For 30 seconds he was the focal point, causing unrest, refusing to back down.
There was a moment of wild chaos, with players nearly colliding, intrusive touching, and an overreaction to it all. It was classic bravado from Maguire, cathartically releasing his frustration into the air, turning the day’s momentum back in his favour. Martin Ødegaard, hesitant, delayed, and fired in a penalty kick that was well blocked at the post.
It was fortunate that Manchester United were facing a team that has so clearly lost its attacking flair. Ødegaard repeatedly shifted out to the right, still favouring those familiar areas around Saka, akin to a forlorn dog persistently sniffing around his owner’s empty armchair and discarded slippers. United’s opening was unusual, with no actual attack or even a hint of an attack unfolding, yet they didn’t seem to be playing poorly or being overwhelmed. They simply existed, in a manner of speaking. And gradually, a tough, gruelling match evolved into a challenging yet intriguing contest as those 10 players held on with growing conviction.
Amorim is essentially all about control and defensive strategy. This felt like something happening in real time, an entity taking shape; and above all, driven on by the enthusiastic backing of the team, like a moment of spirit for a group that has truly been feeling the absence of that type of support.
