Manchester United’s bid went from bad to worse after the FA Cup winners were defeated in an absorbing penalty shootout in the fifth round by Fulham on Sunday. Ruben Amorim’s team were behind Calvin Bassey’s early goal at Old Trafford before equalization by Bruno Fernandes to force the game into extra time.
But as far as penalties go, Fulham’s Bernd Leno was the man of the hour, saving Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee spot-kicks while the visitors netted all four of theirs to win the game.
The mood at Old Trafford was bleak, United being booed off at halftime. They were 14th in the Premier League, another substantial setback in a thoroughly dismal season.
Manchester United Eliminated from FA Cup as Fulham Triumph in Shootout The Red Devils were into the FA Cup final for the second consecutive season—trouncing Manchester City to claim the trophy last year—but there will be no Wembley jaunt this season. They have only one remaining hope for glory now in the Europa League.
“It’s tough. We had the best chances, but penalties go either way and today wasn’t our day,” Amorim said after the match. “I know that we’re losing games and championships, but the goal is to win the Premier League. I don’t know how long that will take, but we must endure these disappointments.”
United’s week was already fiery with 200 jobs cut and uninspiring performances at Everton and Ipswich. Amorim, who came aboard only in November after Erik ten Hag was axed, is already under fire as the squad fails to come together to build consistency.
It didn’t start well on Sunday, with Rasmus Hojlund wasting an early chance and Christian Eriksen forcing Leno into a save. There were glimpses of anger among fans, with abusive crowdsurfing chants at the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, along with banners registering protests at price hikes for tickets.
United’s set-piece weakness once more proved costly as Fulham took the lead on the stroke of halftime. Andreas Pereira, a former United midfielder, delivered a corner which was headed on by Rodrigo Muniz, and Bassey was faster than Noussair Mazraoui to head in from close range.
Seeding for a response, Amorim left Alejandro Garnacho on the sidelines until the 53rd minute, following the Argentine having been left seething at being introduced from the bench against Ipswich. Garnacho had since made amends by suggesting he take his teammates out to dinner, but his introduction did nothing to help United’s cause.
It was Fernandes, as ever, who temporarily rescued his side, equalizing in the 71st minute with a clever finish from a Diogo Dalot cross. But despite their recent pattern of coming back from behind—having come back against Ipswich and Everton—there was no last-gasp escape here.
Andre Onana denied Emile Smith Rowe in stoppage time, sending the game into extra time, where chances were limited. Chido Obi nearly won it for United, with Ryan Sessegnon testing Onana at the other end. But it was during the penalty shootout that Leno finally had the last laugh, ending United’s FA Cup defence on a disappointing note.
With a crucial Europa League game away at Real Sociedad on Thursday and a challenging Premier League test against Arsenal, Amorim’s problems are piling up.
