United crash out of FA Cup

Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup after losing on penalties to Fulham. Rather than bemoan the latest blow in a miserable season, United coach Ruben Amorim insisted his sights were set on a bigger trophy.

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“The goal is to win the Premier League. So I know that we are losing games and losing trophies during this season, but the goal is to win the Premier League again,” Amorim said after the 4-3 shootout loss at Old Trafford.

“I don’t know how long it’s going to take. But that is our goal. If you think like that, we can suffer a little bit in these defeats — a lot sometimes — but we have a goal, so we continue, no matter what, we continue forward.”

Cup holders United were sent spinning out in the fifth round as Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee saw spot kicks saved after the game ended 1-1 following extra time. Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno was the hero with the crucial stops that set up a quarterfinal match against Crystal Palace.

It took a second-half equaliser from Bruno Fernandes to send the game to extra time after Calvin Bassey headed Fulham in front just before the break. But it proved a temporary reprieve for United, who now have just one trophy to aim for this season — the Europa League.

United last won the Premier League in the 2012-13 season and, despite Amorim’s ambition, the next league title feels a long way off.