BREAKING NEWS: David Raya Names the One Manchester United Player Who Gave Him a Tough Time – And It’s Not Bruno Fernandes or Joshua Zirkzee!
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has faced some of the best attackers in world football, but today, after a tense battle against Manchester United, he admitted he was taken aback by one particular player’s relentless aggression and attacking intensity. And surprisingly, it wasn’t Bruno Fernandes or new signing Joshua Zirkzee—it was someone else entirely.
Following Arsenal’s dramatic clash with United, Raya conceded that despite making an error by giving away a “silly” free kick from Bruno Fernandes, the biggest challenge he faced came from another unexpected Red Devils star.
Raya: ‘I Have Never Faced a Player This Aggressive Before’
Speaking after the match, Raya didn’t hold back his admiration—and surprise—at the intensity of his opponent:
“To be very honest, I have never faced this type of dangerously aggressive player like him before. He managed to get six shots on target, which really surprised me, especially considering the quality of defense we have.”
Although he didn’t name the player immediately, sources inside the Arsenal dressing room suggest that it wasn’t Fernandes or Zirkzee who gave Raya the most trouble—but rather, another United star whose performance stunned even Arsenal’s defensive leader, William Saliba.
William Saliba Also Recognized Him!
Even Arsenal’s defensive rock, William Saliba, was quick to acknowledge this player’s influence in today’s match. The Frenchman, known for his calm demeanor, was seen in a deep conversation with Raya after the final whistle—both seemingly in agreement about the unexpected challenge they faced.
🔥🔥 Fans React: Who Could It Be? 🔥🔥
As soon as Raya’s comments surfaced, fans flooded social media with speculation. Some believe he was referring to Kobbie Mainoo, whose box-to-box dynamism has been a nightmare for opposition defenses. Others pointed to Alejandro Garnacho, who was relentless with his pressing and dribbling down the wings.
Whoever it was, one thing is clear—Manchester United might have found a new key player who can trouble even the best defenses in the Premier League.
In the recent FA Cup match between Arsenal and Manchester United, goalkeeper David Raya faced significant challenges, particularly during the penalty shootout. Raya’s technique came under scrutiny as he committed early to diving directions, a strategy that Manchester United players appeared to anticipate and exploit. This approach mirrored a previous encounter where Harry Kane successfully adapted his penalty technique against Raya by waiting for the goalkeeper to move first.
During the shootout, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo employed slow run-ups, prompting Raya to dive prematurely, allowing them to place their shots in the opposite direction. This tactic left Raya unable to make any saves, contributing to Arsenal’s exit from the FA Cup.
Despite the challenges faced during the match, there is no verifiable information indicating that Raya specifically commented on an opposing player’s aggression or attacking intensity. Any such claims appear to be speculative and lack credible sourcing.
The match concluded with a 1-1 draw, leading to a penalty shootout where Manchester United emerged victorious, advancing to the next round of the FA Cup.
