Joshua Zirkzee responds to what Manchester United fans promised to beat Arsenal

"If Zirkzee scores, we're on the pitch," the Manchester United fans promised. He did. They tried.

Thirteen days after Zirkzee was heckled by thousands of United fans inside Old Trafford and ran away from them, he charged towards them. Moments before United's penalty shootout victory, Zirkzee turned to them and played cheerleader. He led the cheers.

United players and staff chased after Zirkzee. Whatever else his time at United holds, Zirkzee will always have a winner against Arsenal.

This was another ten-man United triumph against Arsenal in the FA Cup 26 years on from the Treble winners at Villa Park. Arsenal fans sing about wearing a yellow ribbon in May but it is the scarlet of United that could decorate Wembley Way come the end of the season.

This was the highlight of the Ruben Amorim era. The remainder of United's domestic season will not be restricted to ensuring a respectable finish in the Premier League table.

Look beyond that table and Amorim has wins at Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as a creditable draw at Anfield. His United is starting to take shape.

It is a remarkable turnaround from the Newcastle debacle. That was 13 days ago. Two performances and two results have restored belief at United.

There was another unlikely hero in Altay Bayindir. His promised recall filled many United fans with dread. Bayindir cost them in the League Cup but sent them through in the FA Cup.

He played the Peter Schmeichel role and Martin Odegaard Dennis Bergkamp for the vital penalty kick in the 72nd minute. Come the shootout, Bayindir and nearly 8,000 United fans deterred the jittery Kai Havertz, who failed with Arsenal's second penalty.

Bayindir was conversing with the United physio, David Binningsley, moments before the