JOSHUA ZIRKZEE embarrassed William Saliba during Manchester United’s FA Cup win over Arsenal.
The Dutchman had a match to remember as he netted the winning penalty in the shoot-out to send United through to the fourth round.
This Angle of Zirkzee sending Saliba back to France OMDS😭
— AB⚕ (@AbsoluteBruno) January 13, 2025
pic.twitter.com/aubhrMKC7L
Joshua Zirkzee brought the ball down and flicked it between William Saliba’s legs
He then nutmegged his opponent a second time with a quick change of direction
A befuddled Saliba fell over as Zirkzee created an attack
He only came on in the 80th minute but it did not take him long to make an impact.
Zirkzee proved a big threat on the counter-attack for the ten-man Red Devils and showcased his skill and trickery.
Just six minutes after coming on he gave Saliba the runaround, leaving fans aghast.
Zirkzee, 23, brought the ball down and with his second touch flicked it between Saliba’s legs.
That put him under pressure with three Arsenal players swarming, including Saliba.
But another magical touch from Zirkzee saw him nutmeg Saliba again, causing the defender to fall over which allowed him space and time to feed Amad, who then passed back to Zirkzee who had a shot on goal.
Fans were wowed by the skill and used it as an opportunity to poke fun at Saliba.
One reacted saying: “Zirkzee sending Saliba back to Saint-Etienne.”
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Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as Maguire and Co dig deep to win after Dalot’s moment of madness
MANCHESTER UNITED produced a heroic effort to squeeze past Arsenal and into the FA Cup’s fourth round on penalties.
The Red Devils were forced to dig deep at the Emirates following Diogo Dalot’s 61st minute red card.
On a freezing cold afternoon in North London, SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rates and slates each United performer…
ALTAY BAYINDIR – 8
Poor punch up in the air which allowed the ball to fall nicely for Gabriel to finish.
Redeemed himself with a brilliant penalty save to keep the score level, before superbly denying Declan Rice twice.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 7
Was assured on and off the ball if unspectacular. Got his body on the line as the Gunners pushed for a winner.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 8
Solid in defence and kept the backline well organised. Produced the best tackle of the match on the goalline to deny Leandro Trossard a certain goal.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 8
Commanding in the air and made several key blocks but gave away the penalty which Arsenal missed to go in front.
Got away with an earlier error as he failed to clear – the ball landed at Kai Havertz’s feet but he somehow skewed wide with his effort.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7
Had to be on high alert to deal with the movement of Arsenal forwards but it was a task he managed well.
DIOGO DALOT – 3
Booked for a mistimed lunge on Lewis-Skelly. He followed that up with another silly, late foul on Merino with the ball about to go out of play for his second yellow. Stupid red card.
MANUEL UGARTE – 7
A firefighter all across the pitch for his side, although spent most of the match in his own half given Arsenal’s dominance.
Was booked for one foul too many just before the hour mark and was lucky to escape a red card as he went head-to-head with Havertz after the penalty incident.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 6
Lively in the middle and kept a close eye on Jorginho. Looked sharp on the ball and showed some clever touches.
Should have done better to head clear before Gabriel’s equaliser.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 7
Always an outlet on the counter which was much needed for the Red Devils.
Made the most of a Gabriel error to burst in on goal and pass across to Fernandes to score.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Was booked for throwing a trademark tantrum after claiming he was fouled on the edge of the box when lining up a shot.
Showed his class with a brilliant first-time finish which he bent around a defender into the far corner.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 3
Failed to provide the focal point that United badly needed, which meant almost every pass forward was dealt with by the Arsenal centre-halves. Was fortunate there was no VAR to take a look at his apparent elbow on William Saliba, which left the Arsenal star bloodied.
SUBSTITUTES
Amad (for Garnacho, 80mins) – 6
Lively on the counter too but just lacking a bit of quality – though was outnumbered every time he got the ball.
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 80mins) – 6
Some very clever touches when he came on and provided a presence up front at a time United badly needed it.
Toby Collyer (for Mainoo, 80mins) – 5
Showed plenty of energy but was missing quality in some areas.
Tyrell Malacia (for Ugarte, extra-time) – 6
Stuck to his task well.
Leno Yoro (for Maguire, 104) – 6
Did his job well during the closing stages of the match. Converted his penalty in the shoot-out with aplomb.
Another added: “Saliba made Zirkzee look like prime Messi. That’s pretty hard to do.”
A third wrote: “Zirkzee just ended William Saliba.”
And another commented: “Best defender in the world they said ”