Ruben Amorim remained level-headed after Man Utd’s win at Arsenal. (Image: BBC)
suggested that he will have to chop and change his team in the coming games after Sunday’s draining against . United lasted over 70 minutes with 10 players on the pitch after Diogo Dalot’s sending-off on the hour mark, forcing a penalty shoot-out at the Emirates Stadium.
The visitors led when finished a blistering counter-attack early in the second half.
But they appeared destined for an early FA Cup exit when Gabriel Magalhaes equalised through a deflected strike moments after Dalot’s dismissal.
Amorim’s side produced a valiant display to stay on level terms, though, throwing themselves in front of every chance.
Fernandes, Amad, Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez and Joshua Zirkzee then scored five perfect penalties in the shoot-out as Altay Bayindir saved ‘s effort.
Amorim has made a habit of refusing to overreact to United’s praiseworthy performances since his arrival, given there have been far and few.
And he kept his feet on the ground after full-time in north London, already looking ahead to Thursday’s clash against Southampton at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese head coach implied that he would make changes for the rock-bottom Saints’ visit after two emotional rollercoasters at and .
Man Utd players are buying into Ruben Amorim. (Image: Getty)
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“Thankfully, the players were there. They fought. What we talk about before the match is sometimes not tactical or technical; it’s this,” Amorim told iPlayer.
“So we have to compete no matter what, no matter what the situation is, and we competed today. I think they had chances, but I think we deserve the win.
” didn’t deserve to lose, but we deserved the win. The way we played and the way we fought; it was really tough from the beginning.
“We didn’t have the ball too much, but we controlled without the ball. So I also want to say thank you to the fans. It was unbelievable. I didn’t understand that all that area was our supporters.
“So it was a good day for us, but now we have to rest the players. I’m already thinking about the next game; they are really tired, so we need to win. Let’s see.”
Amorim inherited a brutal fixture schedule when he arrived in England from Sporting in November and won just four of his first 12 games, losing six.
But the triumph marks the start of a favourable run of matches, including three successive home meetings with Southampton, Brighton and Rangers up next.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will return to Old Trafford with Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round.