Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim commended his team’s grit and resilience following their dramatic FA Cup victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Despite being reduced to ten players, United showcased remarkable defensive determination to overcome Arsenal’s relentless pressure in an enthralling third-round clash.

The turning point came when Diogo Dalot was sent off shortly after Bruno Fernandes had given United the lead. Arsenal’s Gabriel equalized soon after, but Altay Bayindir emerged as the hero, making several crucial saves. The Turkish goalkeeper denied Martin Odegaard from the penalty spot and later thwarted Kai Havertz in a thrilling 5-3 shootout, sealing Arsenal’s exit.

Joshua Zirkzee, a summer signing who had faced criticism weeks earlier, redeemed himself by scoring the decisive penalty. Amorim showed unwavering belief in the striker, entrusting him with the fifth and final spot-kick.

“My players gave everything,” Amorim remarked. “We spoke about more than tactics before the match—about competing, no matter the circumstances. Today, we fought hard, and while Arsenal didn’t deserve to lose, we certainly earned this win.”

He continued, “From the second half onward, even after conceding the penalty, I had a sense that things would go our way. Arsenal is a fantastic team, but today, we showed immense character and worked together to secure this result.”

The victory sets up a fourth-round home fixture against Leicester City, led by former United striker and coach Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The match, which saw two clubs with 27 combined FA Cup titles, was slow to ignite in the first half. Arsenal suffered a blow when Gabriel Jesus was stretchered off with a knee injury. Things escalated early in the second half when a misjudged header from Gabriel gifted Alejandro Garnacho an opening. The Argentine set up Fernandes, who curled a superb strike past David Raya.

Arsenal looked for an immediate response, but Havertz squandered a golden opportunity, scuffing a close-range shot. A lifeline appeared moments later when Dalot, already on a yellow card, recklessly fouled Mikel Merino, resulting in his dismissal. Arsenal capitalized immediately, with Gabriel’s deflected shot finding the back of the net to level the score.

Momentum shifted decisively toward Arsenal as they pushed for a winner. A controversial penalty was awarded when Harry Maguire clashed with Havertz, but Bayindir kept his team alive by saving Odegaard’s spot-kick. The goalkeeper’s brilliance didn’t stop there—he denied Declan Rice and Havertz again in a pulsating finale to regular time.

Extra time saw United’s defense hold firm, with Matthijs de Ligt and Altay Bayindir making key interventions. On the other end, Arsenal’s David Raya produced a stellar save to keep Zirkzee’s deflected effort out. Amad Diallo came close to a winner for United, but his header narrowly missed.

The shootout delivered the final drama. Bayindir’s save against Havertz tipped the balance, and Zirkzee’s composed penalty sealed United’s progress in a match that will be remembered for its intensity and resilience.

Al Nassr’s media advisor, Saaed Abu Dahesh, has firmly dismissed recent speculation suggesting that Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is on the verge of joining the Saudi Pro League side.

Reports have increasingly linked Casemiro with a potential move to Al Nassr, fueling rumors that his tenure at Manchester United may soon come to an end.

Last summer, the Brazilian star rejected a transfer despite significant interest from Saudi Arabia. However, recent updates indicate he might now be more open to the idea of a move.

A previous report, as highlighted by The Peoples Person, claimed that Al Nassr had offered Casemiro an enticing deal worth approximately £650,000 per week. Adding to the buzz, there have been suggestions that Cristiano Ronaldo has personally urged Al Nassr’s management to secure Casemiro’s services. The two players share a remarkable history, having won 12 trophies together at Real Madrid—including four UEFA Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns. Their partnership continued at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, and their strong personal bond has been well-documented.

Speculation reached a peak when reports from Brazil asserted that a deal to sell the 32-year-old to Al Nassr was nearly finalized, suggesting his departure from Old Trafford was imminent.

However, these claims were categorically denied by Al Nassr’s media advisor, Saeed Abu Dahesh. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Abu Dahesh stated, “All the news circulating about Al-Nassr’s negotiations with the player Casemiro is incorrect.”

He further explained, “The coming period will be filled with rumors about players, both local and international, being linked to Al Nassr. As always, the official updates will come from Al Nassr’s verified channels. Everything else is merely speculation that we cannot waste time denying daily.”

Abu Dahesh also urged fans to focus on supporting the team during their critical upcoming matches, emphasizing that their attention and encouragement are crucial.

Meanwhile, Casemiro and the rest of the Manchester United squad are gearing up for their next challenge. They are set to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the third round of the FA Cup. The match kicks off at 15:00 GMT on Sunday, promising an exciting clash between two top-tier teams.

Manchester United’s transfer activity this January appears tied to their ability to offload players from the current squad. Manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly restricted to pursuing loan deals and free agents unless significant sales provide additional funds.

Marcus Rashford Sparks Interest from Top Clubs
Academy graduate Marcus Rashford is rumored to be considering a move away from Old Trafford. European heavyweights AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, and Paris Saint-Germain, alongside Premier League side West Ham United, are said to be monitoring the situation closely. United are reportedly open to offers for several players as they aim to generate funds to support Amorim’s long-term vision for the team.

Amorim’s Plans for a Squad Overhaul
Speaking at the end of December, Amorim hinted at his plans to reshape the squad:

“When the window is open, we can try to do something, and we will try to do something. But I think, in the next weeks, we are going to have more time to train, and we can improve—that’s the only way. We had a lot of games without training; now we will have more space to grow.”

The United boss acknowledged the team’s current struggles, emphasizing the importance of managing the situation amid recent poor results.

Financial Constraints Dictate United’s Strategy
While Amorim aims to bring in players suited to his system, financial limitations have made permanent signings challenging. A significant sale, such as Rashford’s potential departure, could pave the way for the club to pursue high-profile targets, including a rumored £70m player reportedly “on the move.”

As the January window progresses, all eyes will be on United’s ability to balance their financial constraints with Amorim’s desire to implement his philosophy. Fans are eager to see how the club navigates these challenges and whether the Red Devils can emerge stronger for the second half of the season.