Man United's Two-Minute Nightmare in FA Cup

During a high-stakes FA Cup third-round encounter at the Emirates Stadium, Manchester United suffered a two-minute disaster that dramatically altered the course of the match. In the 61st minute, right-back Diogo Dalot received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Arsenal's midfielder Mikel Merino, forcing United to play the remainder of the match with ten men. The decision sparked heated protests from United's players, but the referee stood firm.

Just two minutes later, Arsenal exploited their numerical advantage to devastating effect. Winger Gabriel Martinelli delivered a pinpoint cross from the left wing, causing confusion in United's defense. A misjudged clearance attempt by goalkeeper Altay Bayindir left the ball in a dangerous position. Arsenal's defender Gabriel Magalhaes capitalized on the chaos, striking a precise volley into the bottom corner to level the score at 1-1.

The rapid sequence of events stunned Manchester United, who had earlier taken the lead through a brilliant strike from captain Bruno Fernandes. Arsenal's equalizer shifted the momentum entirely, with the home side pushing relentlessly to take control of the game. The Emirates crowd roared in support, energizing Arsenal to dominate possession and create further chances.

Despite being down to ten men, United managed to hold on defensively for the remainder of regular time and forced the match into extra time. Both teams battled fiercely, but neither could find a winner. In the penalty shootout, United displayed resilience, with Joshua Zirkzee scoring the decisive penalty to secure their place in the next round.

The match left fans and analysts debating key moments, particularly Dalot's sending-off and United's defensive struggles after going down a man. Manager Ruben Amorim acknowledged the challenges his team faced but praised their determination in navigating the difficult circumstances. "We must learn from these moments and focus on maintaining discipline," Amorim remarked in the post-match press conference.

Arsenal, despite the loss, showcased their attacking potential and will aim to carry this intensity into their upcoming fixtures. For United, the victory serves as a reminder of their resilience but highlights areas for improvement, particularly in defensive organization and game management.