Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim highlighted Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Joshua Zirkzee after his team was eliminated from the FA Cup by Fulham. The Red Devils lost to their Premier League counterparts on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
United found themselves trailing at the end of the first half in stoppage time, as Calvin Bassey scored with a close-range header after being afforded plenty of space from a corner. The home side equalized midway through the second half when Fernandes sent the ball into the net. The match was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout, with Victor Lindelof and Zirkzee having their penalties saved by Bernd Leno, allowing Fulham to advance to the quarter-finals.
“We managed to score in the second half after that goal near half time,” Amorim told the BBC after the match.
“It’s harder for us to go and press a little bit high but we managed to do it and score. I think we have the best chances in the game. In the end, the penalties can go both ways and today wasn’t our way. It is important to say that with the substitutions we had our chance to win the game.
“I think we are better in the first ball than the second ball. I think it is also sometimes the quality of the players. Bruno, Casemiro and Josh are improving a lot.”
Discussing the shootout, Amorim insisted: “I try to relax the players and they know that it is something that is technical – but you have to be relaxed and confident.”
He then shifted his focus to the Premier League, where United have not claimed the title since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013.
The Red Devils secured the league title 13 times during his tenure, but they haven’t come close to achieving a 14th title in the past 12 years.
Amorim stated, “Our aim is to win the Premier League. I recognize that we are losing matches, but our objective is to reclaim the Premier League once more.
“I can’t predict how long it will take. We have a target and we keep pushing forward regardless of the circumstances. It’s hard to say, but you begin to see that the players are improving and we are grasping the league better. We’ll find out in due time.”
United is set to visit Real Sociedad for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash on Thursday night, followed by a Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford three days later.
The Portuguese coach added, “It’s extremely important, but we must ensure the players are fit. They were quite fatigued, and we only have three days before facing Arsenal at Old Trafford.”