Zirkzee's two word message to 'top' Man Utd teammate in thrilling win over Arsenal

Joshua Zirkzee heaped praise on his Manchester United teammate Harry Maguire following the Red Devils’ dramatic FA Cup victory over Arsenal.

United began their FA Cup title defence with a tense penalty shootout win at the Emirates Stadium, overcoming their Premier League rivals in a match filled with twists and turns.

Ruben Amorim’s side took the lead in the second half through Bruno Fernandes, but the game took a dramatic turn when Diogo Dalot received a second yellow card, reducing United to 10 men.

Just two minutes later, Arsenal capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Gabriel Magalhães volleying home the equalizer.

The 1-1 scoreline remained through regular time and extra time, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.

United held their nerve as all five of their spot-kick takers found the back of the net, with Joshua Zirkzee stepping up to convert the decisive penalty in a 5-3 victory.

The 23-year-old Dutch forward, who has faced scrutiny during his first season at Old Trafford, came off the bench in the second half and delivered an impactful performance.

Zirkzee not only converted the match-winning penalty but also helped United book their spot in the fourth round, where they will host Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City in February.

Harry Maguire, one of United’s standout performers, delivered a commanding display at the back, despite being at the center of a controversial penalty decision.

Referee Andy Madley awarded Arsenal a penalty for Maguire’s challenge on Kai Havertz, but Altay Bayindir’s brilliant save from Martin Ødegaard’s spot-kick kept United in the contest.

After the match, Maguire shared his thoughts on social media, posting on Instagram: “Sunday afternoons in the FA Cup.”

Zirkzee, clearly appreciative of his teammate’s efforts, responded in the comments with a heartfelt message: “Top Harry,” accompanied by a fire emoji and a fist bump emoji.

In his post-match press conference, Amorim addressed the contentious penalty decision but chose to focus on the positives.

“Yeah, it’s far away. The players told me that it was not a penalty, but let’s move on. We go to the next round and focus on the next game,” Amorim said via Manchester United’s official website.

The victory marked another impressive milestone for Amorim’s United as they continue their journey in the FA Cup.

With a fourth-round clash against Leicester City on the horizon, United will aim to build on their recent successes and maintain their pursuit of silverware this season.

Meanwhile, Zirkzee’s impactful display and match-winning moment may prove to be a turning point in his debut campaign at Old Trafford.