Manchester : Manchester United's FA Cup campaign ended in heartbreak as they suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Fulham, increasing the pressure on manager Ruben Amorim ahead of a crucial Europa League tie against Real Sociedad later this week.
In a tense fifth-round FA Cup clash, United were held to a 1-1 draw after extra time before falling 4-3 in the shootout. Victor Lindelöf and Joshua Zirkzee missed their penalties, allowing Marco Silva’s Fulham to progress to the quarterfinals against Crystal Palace.
United’s Struggles Continue Under Amorim
This latest setback marks Amorim’s 10th defeat in 25 games since taking charge in November. While the club has publicly backed the Portuguese coach, the FA Cup and Europa League were seen as lifelines in an otherwise forgettable season.
With United sitting 14th in the Premier League, their only realistic hope of silverware and a route back into the Champions League now depends on their Europa League campaign.
Familiar Failings in FA Cup Loss
Despite dominating possession, United once again failed to create clear-cut chances—a recurring issue. The team has now failed to score from open play in the first half for 19 consecutive matches, highlighting their lack of attacking fluency.
Their defensive vulnerabilities were also exposed once more. United conceded the opening goal for the 16th time in Amorim’s 24 matches—this time from a Calvin Bassey header off a Rodrigo Muniz flick-on. Ironically, Amorim had recently praised the team’s improvement in defending set pieces, only for those issues to resurface.
Bruno Fernandes: United’s Lone Bright Spot
With United struggling for creativity, it was once again Bruno Fernandes who stepped up. The Portuguese midfielder brilliantly volleyed home a Diogo Dalot cross in the second half to restore parity.
Fernandes has now delivered six crucial goals this season—including three match-winners and three equalisers—underlining his importance to United.
Despite his heroics, United couldn’t capitalize on key chances. Alejandro Garnacho and Chido Obi saw goal-bound efforts denied by Fulham’s Bernd Leno, who eventually emerged as the match-winner in the shootout.
"Europa League or Bust" for Amorim
With the FA Cup no longer an option, United must now focus on Thursday’s Europa League Round of 16 tie against Real Sociedad.
The Europa League not only offers a shot at silverware but also provides United’s best chance at securing Champions League football next season.
“We know we are losing games, but the goal is to win the Premier League again,” Amorim said post-match. “We have a goal, and we continue forward no matter what.”
However, with the Premier League campaign in disarray, another early exit in Europe could intensify doubts over Amorim’s ability to steady the ship.
A Season-Defining Week for United
United’s lack of cutting edge, defensive frailties, and inconsistency have raised serious concerns about Amorim’s project. While the club remains patient, a defeat to Real Sociedad could see his position come under significant scrutiny.
