Manchester United squeezed past Premier League rivals Arsenal to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup and Alan Shearer was left impressed with three Red Devils stars in particular
Alan Shearer hailed three “superb” Manchester United stars against Arsenal despite one being set to drop out of the side.
The Red Devils found a way past their Premier League rivals on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time. Bruno Fernandes and Gabriel Magalhaes scored for each side.
Martin Odegaard had a penalty saved by United’s stand-in keeper Altay Bayindir, while he also denied Kai Havertz in the resultant shootout. And Shearer picked out the former Fenerbahce star for special praise.
He was also left impressed by defenders Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt. Speaking on the BBC, he said: “He [Bayindir] holds his nerve, he doesn’t blink first.
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“It was a three-way tie between him and De Ligt and Maguire who I thought were also superb but just because of his penalty save, I thought I would give it to him [the man of the match award]. When you get given an opportunity, you have to take it and he took it today.”
Shearer wasn’t the only one who was impressed by Bayindir’s performance. United boss Ruben Amorim also sang his praises after stepping up despite limited opportunities at Old Trafford so far.
“It’s really important, not just for him but all the players,” Amorim said. “Your life as a footballer has cycles and moments. Sometimes in one week, your life can change. You can see Altay. Against Tottenham, everybody was pointing the finger at him and I understand that. Today he was our hero also.”
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Unfortunately for Bayindir, his shining performance against Arsenal might not be enough to see him hold his place in the side. Andre Onana will return for the midweek Premier League clash with struggling Southampton.
Away from his praise for Bayindir, United boss Amorim also picked out Joshua Zirkzee for converting the winning penalty, particularly given the criticism he has faced recently. He said: “Joshua a few weeks ago had a small problem with our fans.
“Today, every time he’s going on the pitch, you felt the support from the fans. And then he has the last penalty. Life is like that. You have to stay humbled, work every day and your time will come.”
United’s win against Arsenal saw them seal a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup. And they will take on Leicester City following Sunday’s draw – a game that will see former striker and boss Ruud van Nistelrooy return.
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