Ruben Amorim admitted Manchester United showed “different spirit” in Sunday's FA Cup third-round triumph over Arsenal compared to last month's Premier League defeat to the Gunners.
united fell to a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium in early December, conceding both goals from corners. It marked the beginning of a difficult period for the team, in which the shortcomings of the sets were constantly exposed.
But Amorim's side started 2025 with a much-improved performance against Liverpool at Anfield and then managed to 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 in groups, more aggressive. We show different spirit, even with ten players. We are improving in that aspect”, he said.
“I think we struggled a lot early in the game to control the ball and then we struggled, not big chances, but we struggled running after the ball, especially to change the play, to gain the first pressure. of Arsenal.
“But then we can take this moment, take the game to another level when we talk about aggressiveness. And that's a very good thing. We managed to score and then I felt at that moment that we were able to improve with the ball. , but with (the player) sent off it was really difficult for us and then we all struggled together, defending really well, with a couple of chances Arsenal.
“The players were really tired, but I felt from the first minute that today was our day. And I also felt a connection with our fans, our staff. It was a very good day for us in that respect. We have to improve ways how we play football.”