Bruno Fernandes was confident that Manchester United’s hero had already been determined before the FA Cup third round penalty shootout victory over Arsenal
Bruno Fernandes believes it was written in the script for Joshua Zirkzee to score Manchester United’s winning penalty at Arsenal.
Dutch forward Zirkzee slotted home the fifth of five successful United penalties at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, as the Red Devils reached the fourth round of the FA Cup following an action-packed clash in north London.
United skipper Fernandes had given his side the lead early in the second half when he impressively swept home an Alejandro Garnacho pass, but the visitors were then reduced to 10 men when full-back Diogo Dalot was sent off for a second bookable offence.
When Gabriel then grabbed Arsenal’s equaliser almost immediately it had appeared as though United’s hopes of defending the trophy they won last season were all but over, and they certainly looked so when referee Andy Madley pointed to the penalty spot after deeming Harry Maguire to have fouled Kai Havertz.
But United’s stand-in stopper Altay Bayindir saved well from Martin Odegaard’s penalty, and that set the tone for a remainder of the contest in which Bayindir and United frustrated their hosts, all the way to the shootout where the Turkish goalkeeper crucially saved from Havertz.
That would eventually allow for substitute Zirkzee to step up and take United’s fifth and final penalty just under two weeks after he was abused by home fans when he was substituted after just 33 minutes of the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle.
Zirkzee did receive a warm reception from the club’s travelling fans in their next match at Liverpool, but that turned into an ovation when he slotted home the winner from the spot past the hapless David Raya. It was a huge moment in the Dutch forward’s career, but for Fernandes it felt inevitable.
“It was a decision of the staff on the first five players to have a penalty, and Josh came last,” Fernandes told Sky Sports.
“The only thing that came into my mind was to tell the players that ‘the script is done.’ Everything is done since that moment against Newcastle at home. That prepared us to give Josh his moment and his credit and his flowers.”
United will face a reunion with their former interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy in the fourth round after they were drawn to face Leicester at home.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Learn more
