Man Utd analysis: Unlikely hero helps FA Cup holders see off Arsenal in capital clash
What have Mariah Carey and Gandalf got in common with Diogo Dalot? They all appear in Robert Bore’s analysis of Manchester United’s FA Cup win over Arsenal on Sunday.
That has piqued your interest I’m sure - and Sports News Blitz’s resident Man Utd fan has plenty more to say after revelling in another fine display from Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils…
We could be heroes
Sometimes heroes are easy to spot.
Tiananmen Square Tank Man - the unknown bloke who decided enough was enough and stood in front of a column of advancing tanks in 1989 China.
Or Leeds rugby legend Kevin Sinfield, who has gone to extraordinary lengths - quite literally - to fundraise in memory of friend and team-mate Rob Burrow in the fight against Motor Neurone Disease.
For what my opinion is worth, I hope his Knighthood follows.
And sometimes they pop up in the unlikeliest of places.
Like the Emirates Stadium, on a wintry Sunday afternoon, in the FA Cup third round.
Step forward and take a bow Altay Bayindir.
You could hear a collective groan waft across the January air like a farty smell in a lift when team news dropped and the Turkish stopper was set to be between the sticks for the daunting trip to Arsenal in defence of the trophy so sweetly wrestled from Manchester City last May.
With both sides strong on paper, and considering the criticism he picked up after the League Cup defeat at Spurs before Christmas, it felt like it might be a long afternoon for the former Fenerbahce man, who did little to dispel those fears with some decidedly ropey kicking and then a punch that would have struggled to knock the skin off a rice pudding in the lead up to Arsenal's equaliser.
But, as Mariah Carey put it very eloquently in her five octave vocal range: "And then a hero comes along, with the strength to carry on. And you cast your fears aside, and you know you can survive..."
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Two goals and a red card
In truth it was a lukewarm first half, United happy to lay traps for the hosts in the hopes of plundering on the counter.
They sat in well with a back three of Harry Maguire, Lizandro Martinez, and Matthijs de Ligt performing heroics throughout.
Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot were given the wing-back duties, with the latter looking to prove his victorious battle with the similarly-limited Trent Alexander-Arnold was not a one-off. More on that later.
And the plan was working perfectly when Alejandro Garnacho, back in the starting line-up, laid the ball across for Bruno Fernandes to curl a beauty into David Raya's far corner with 52 minutes gone.
But wait, let us get back to Dalot. I have made no secret of the fact I do not rate the lad as highly as the likes of Jose Mourinho, Erik ten Hag, or Roberto Martinez, who seem to see something I do not.
Ok, that probably says more about my football knowledge than theirs, but I stand by my eyes.
You did ont need eyes to see what was coming as he hurtled into a must-win 50-50 with Mikel Merino just past the hour and arrived too late, earning a second yellow and putting his side down to 10-men.
It was stupid but the sad thing is it was not a surprise.
Neither did you need a crystal ball to see Arsenal's leveller coming, albeit it I was not expecting it within two minutes.
Bayindir should probably have caught the high ball, even if he was under pressure, and his clearance only ended up at the foot of Gabriel who swept it home.
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Bayindir’s heroics see United home
Whether it is the magic of the cup or just that the sun shines on a dog's arse every now and again, the football gods decided to have a bit more fun.
Kai Havertz went down easier than a shot of tequila rose after being brushed by Maguire's arm and the referee, enjoying his afternoon in the spotlight, pointed to the spot.
With no VAR to add an element of common sense to the decision, the penalty stood.
The visitors were incredulous and there were understandably some handbags in the aftermath.
While the award looked dubious in slow motion, which usually makes any contact look ten times worse, in real time it was laughable.
Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard stepped up to ease his side into the lead and then it happened. A sprinkling of fairy dust.
Or maybe those gods just sneezed into the north London night sky and sprayed the 6ft 4ins Turkey international with a bit of 'magic mucus' as he hurled himself to his left and superbly hooked the Norwegian's effort to safety.
Maybe it will turn out to be a defining moment for the 26-year-old.
Not as much redemption as an affirmation that he can belong on this stage and at a club of the stature of United.
Because he grew. And it was almost instantaneous.
Similar to those first couple of bars on karaoke where it feels like the X Factor judges are watching, but then you realise it is a bunch of pissed up reprobates who are tone deaf and do not know all the words to Club Tropicana anyway.
Like Peter Schemichel at Newcastle on March 4th, 1996 or Gandalf on the Bridge of Khazad-dum, Arsenal were not passing.
Bayindir then saved under his own bar from substitute Declan Rice's point-blank header and the ball was suddenly sticking to his gloves like fly paper.
As United eked out extra-time and then penalties - not without some good fortune and a collective defensive effort in front of their ‘keeper - their custodian must have looked massive as Havertz stepped up to see his spot-kick clawed away from the net and United went on the celebrate five perfect penalties converted and Leicester at home in round four.
Red Devils turning the corner under Amorim
It was a terrific performance from the visitors and another much-needed result for Ruben Amorim, whose stock has regrouped after last weekend's point at Anfield and the victory here.
United's defence looks solid and there is structure when they transition from defence to attack and back again.
Manuel Ugarte is a terrier in the midfield and while he is going to rack up the yellow cards in the hustle and bustle of English football, his energy, tenacity and growing partnership with Kobbie Mainoo allow Bruno Fernandes to thrive and find those pockets of space.
The skipper will continue to tot up his own disciplinary points because, well, he is a moaning b*stard, although today's card should never have come.
Firstly, because he was fouled and secondly, he had his hissy fit and had no reason to go and have a second one just to prove my point.
Since his United debut in February 2020, Bruno leads the way with 47 yellows and three red cards, more than any other Premier League player.
But he is our moaning b*stard, plus on the flip side he has scored seven and assisted four in his last 12 FA Cup ties.
Rough with the smooth.
And what of Bayindir, who will likely find himself carrying Andre Onana's water bottle and spare gloves again when Southampton arrive at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Maybe we should turn to Mariah again.
"So when you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong. And you'll finally see the truth, that a hero lies in you."
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