- As Arsenal crash out 3-5 on penalties
Much-maligned Manchester United goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir proved a point on Sunday as resilient Red Devils recover from Diogo Dalot’s daft red card to reach the FA Cup fourth round.
The Turkey international made two stunning penalty saves while Joshua Zirkzee also had a moment of redemption in a spirited performance by United inside the Emirates Stadium.
Indeed, it was redemption stories for Bayindir and Zirkzee as United knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup on penalties following a spirited 1-1 draw after extra-time.
The victory for Ruben Amorim men was so satisfying as they played more than an hour with 10 men due to Diogo Dalot being sent off.
Bayindir, who had been mocked for conceding straight from a corner against Tottenham in his last trip to north London, saved a penalty from Martin Odegaard in normal time and then thwarted Kai Havertz in the shootout.
On the night, United scored all of their four kicks before Zirkzee, who had been humiliated by his own supporters less than two weeks ago against Newcastle, buried the fifth and decisive kick.
United kept things tight throughout and especially in a dull, stop-start first half when they had just one shot on target. They let Arsenal have the ball but made sure they did nothing of note with it, save for Gabriel Martinelli netting from an offside position.
However, the Old Trafford visitors grew into the game the longer it went on and did the damage on the counter, with Garnacho dispossessing Gabriel and tearing forward to tee up Fernandes, who sent them ball flying into the net.
It was the third time in four trips to the Emirates that United had taken the lead only to lose their heads moments later. Dalot slid in on Mikel Merino and earned his second yellow card in 12 minutes to leave United with 10 men and 29 minutes to see their lead out.
They lasted less than two minutes as Gabriel volleyed home after Bayindir had feebly punched away a cross. United continued to unravel, conceding a penalty when Harry Maguire brushed over Gabriel Martinelli.
But Bayindir made a miraculous save to thwart Odegaard and then made two fine saves from substitute Declan Rice to take the game to extra-time.
Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo spurned United’s only attempts in the extra period, where the Red Devils’ defence again stood tall to force penalties. And that was where Bayindir completed his sensational performance and Zikzee kept his cool to send the holders into the fourth round.
Speaking after the shoot-out win, United captain, Bruno Fernandes reacted thus; “Obviously, the circumstances of the game, we suffered a lot and sacrificed a lot as a team, and at the end you get this. It’s tough to be second goalkeeper, he came here to play. Whenever he gets his chance he’s top-class for us. He truly deserved this moment.”
Bayindir, who emerged the man of the match, puts his performance in perspective thus; “I just helped my team. I’m working every team. I want to help this great team. Just I want to make everyone happy for this great club. If you’re not playing, it doesn’t matter.
“If you’re a Manchester United player you have to be ready always. Every day, [Amorim} is talking with us and trying to help us. We’re trusting him, he’s trusting us, we’re fighting together.”
