Ruben Amorim admitted Manchester United showed a “different spirit” in Sunday’s FA Cup third-round triumph over Arsenal, compared to last month’s Premier League defeat to the Gunners.
united slumped to a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium in early December, conceding both goals from corners. It marked the start of a difficult period for the squad in which shortcomings from set pieces were repeatedly exposed.
But Amorim’s side began 2025 with a much-improved performance against Liverpool at Anfield and then managed eliminates Arsenal from the cup on penaltiesdespite playing for an hour with just ten men in extra time after Diogo Dalot was sent off.
“I think we played, especially in the first half, better (than) in the first game (against Arsenal). We were better at set pieces, more aggressive. We showed a different spirit, even with ten men. We are improving that aspect,” he said.
“I think we struggled a lot at the start of the game to control the game with the ball and then we suffered, not big chances, but we suffered running after the ball, especially to change the game, to win the first pressure. Arsenal.
“But then we can take this moment, take the game to a different level when we talk about aggression. And that’s very good. We managed to score and then I felt that at that time we could improve with the ball. , but with the ( player) sent off (us) was very tough and then we all suffered together, defending very well, with some chances arsenal.
“The players were very tired, but I felt from the first minute that today was our day. And I also felt a connection with our fans, our squad. It was a very good day for us in that aspect. We have to improve the way we play football”.
