-Credit:MUTV.
Goalkeeper Altay Bayindir hailed Manchester United’s supporters for the role they played in Sunday’s FA Cup third round win over Arsenal.
United progressed to the next round of the competition with a 5-3 penalty shootout victory over the Gunners, inspired by a save from Bayindir. The Turkey international saved the home side’s second penalty of the shootout, denying Kai Havertz.
Bayindir had played a crucial role in helping the contest go the distance, saving a penalty from Martin Odegaard in regulation time. The Norwegian wasted the chance to put Arsenal 2-1 up after Gabriel had earlier cancelled out Bruno Fernandes’ opener.
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United, who will face Leicester City in the fourth round at Old Trafford next month, were also down to 10 men at the point of Bayindir denying Odegaard from the spot after Diogo Dalot was dismissed on 61 minutes, earning a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Mikel Merino.
However, United dug deep to take the game all the way to penalties and then prevail with a 100 per cent record from the spot. And for Bayindir, who was making just his fourth appearance of the season, United’s travelling army of nearly 8,000 supporters spurred him and his teammates on.
“We cannot just talk about this game because they are doing these things every game,” Bayindir said of the fans, speaking to MUTV. “When we are losing, when are winning, it doesn’t matter, they are feeling from the inside.
“They want to see good things on the pitch because they are always, every game, supporting us. We have to give something to our fans.
“They are amazing, they are perfect, they are always supporting, always in the game, always giving everything. For example, I was very close to the fans in the goal and they were stood there saying ‘glory’ or ‘come on United’.
“I was thinking, ‘Come on, guys, we have to do more’. They will continue to support us and we will do our best.”