Ruben Amorim leads Man United car-pooling celebrating stars on late-night return to Manchester Airport after Arsenal penalty win – and revealing the ‘important’ change he made

Manchester United’s squad were pictured arriving back at Manchester Airport on Sunday night after their dramatic victory over Arsenal. 

Arsenal entertained United in the FA Cup third round at the Emirates, with the Red Devils securing their spot in the next round thanks to a 5-3 victory on penalties after a thrilling encounter.

Bruno Fernandes had given United the lead early in the second half before disaster stuck when Diogo Dalot was sent off after picking up a second yellow card.

Gabriel levelled the score and Arsenal had the chance to turn things around when Harry Maguire was adjudged to have fouled Kai Havertz in the penalty area despite replays showing minimal contact. 

United stand-in stopper Altay Bayindir pulled off a stunning save to deny Martin Odegaard from the spot in normal time, and Ruben Amorim‘s side held out until the shootout when the Turkish keeper again saved – this time from Kai Havertz – to secure the Red Devils’ place in round four.

And, at around 10pm on Sunday, Amorim’s squad were pictured returning to Manchester, fresh off their thrilling triumph. 

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.

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. 

‘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.