Manchester United’s squad returned to Manchester Airport on Sunday night after their hard-fought victory against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round.

The Red Devils edged out Arsenal in a dramatic encounter at the Emirates, securing their place in the next round with a 5-3 penalty shootout win after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time.

Bruno Fernandes gave United the lead early in the second half, but Diogo Dalot’s dismissal for a second yellow card left Ruben Amorim’s side with a daunting challenge. Arsenal equalized through Gabriel, and controversy struck when Harry Maguire was penalized for a foul on Kai Havertz despite minimal contact. However, stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayindir emerged as the hero, saving Martin Odegaard’s penalty in regulation time and denying Havertz in the shootout to seal the win for United.

 

At approximately 10 p.m. on Sunday, United’s squad was photographed arriving back in Manchester, celebrating a victory that showcased resilience and determination under Ruben Amorim’s management.

 

Manchester United’s squad were pictured arriving at Manchester Airport on Sunday night

 

United boss Ruben Amorim looked in good spirits after their FA Cup victory against Arsenal

 

Match-winner Joshua Zirkzee was seen being driven away as only Amorim stopped for fans

Several stars were seen driving away from the airport after their plane landed, with some loyal United fans braving the cold to greet their returning heroes.

Amorim stopped to sign autographs to those supporters, before he was seen smiling as he drove off in his black £180,000 electric Porsche Taycan Turbo Estate.

However, the United boss was the only figure to stop for the fans and when questioned by them, he claimed it was because the players were tired and needed to eat and sleep to prepare for their mid week match against Southampton on Thursday.

In fact, the squad had arrived back nearly two hours later than had been scheduled  due to extra time and penalties in the FA Cup win over the Gunners.

Several stars were spotted car-pooling on their way home, which perhaps gives fans an insight into which players are good friends.

South American duo Lisandro Martinez and Manuel Ugarte were seen travelling in the Argentinian defender’s £350,000 Rolls Royce Cullinan.

Meanwhile, United’s youthful duo of Alejandro Garnacho, 20, and Amad Diallo, 22, were also together.

 

Several stars were spotted lift-sharing on their way home – including Alejandro Garnacho (left) and Amad Diallo (right) – which perhaps gives fans an insight into who are good friends

 

South American duo Lisandro Martinez (left) and Manuel Ugarte (right) were seen travelling in the Argentinian’s £350,000 Rolls Royce Cullinan on their way out of Manchester Airport

 

Matthijs de Ligt showed off a smirk as he exited the airport in his £120,000 Range Rover

Garnacho was doing the driving as fans got a glimpse of his £120,000 Range Rover.

Elsewhere, match-winner Joshua Zirkzee, who scored the decisive penalty, was driven away by an unknown individual in another Range Rover.

Zirkzee’s decisive intervention capped a dramatic turnaround for the Netherlands international after he was cheered off when being substituted midway through the first half just two weeks ago against Newcastle.

Bruno Fernandes, who had scored United’s opener on Sunday before also netting in the shootout, drove home alone in his new £250,000 Bentley Bentayga Black Edition.

Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt, who has endured a bumpy ride since his own £42.8m, summer move from Bayern Munich, showed off a smirk as he exited the airport in his £120,000 Range Rover.

Speaking after United’s victory, Amorim was full of praise for his side after they triumphed following a brilliant battling display.

‘It (the win) was really important because (it) gives us more strength, and then with less one player, it’s really hard to press,’ he said.

‘It’s really hard to press a team like Arsenal with 11 players, imagine with 10 players, and then you are in (a) disadvantage, (it) is really hard because they can control the ball.

 

Zirkzee’s winning penalty capped a remarkable turnaround for the Netherlands international

 

United’s victory came following a fiery game with both sets of players involved in altercations

 

United were indebted to a stunning display from stand-in keeper Altay Bayindir on Sunday

‘They were already controlling the ball in a lot of moments. So it was vital to win the game, to draw the game.’

He continued: ‘‘The players were really tired, but I felt since the first minute that today was our day. I felt also a connection with our fans, our staff. It was a very good day for us in that aspect.

‘I think that is clear (we’re becoming more resilient). I think also it is clear that when we score first that helps us to suffer. It is like more strength.’

United return to action on Thursday when they host Southampton.