Man Utd1 - 1Fulham

Bruno Fernandes cancelled out an opener from Calvin Bassey to leave the two teams level at Old Trafford after 120 minutes of football, but Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee had efforts saved in the penalty shootout to hand Fulham a spot in the quarter-finals.

It has been a tough campaign for the Red Devils, particularly in England's top flight, with the team currently 14th in the Premier League table, 34 points off leaders Liverpool.

However, Amorim has said that the ultimate goal is to make Man United Premier League champions once more.

"We managed to score in the second half after that goal near half-time. 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," Amorim told BBC Sport after the match with Fulham.

Man United were knocked out of the FA Cup by Fulham

"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 [Zirkzee] are improving a lot.

"I try to relax the players and they know that it is something that is technical but you have to be relaxed and confident.

"The goal is to win the Premier League. I know that we are losing games but the goal is to win the Premier League again. I don't know how long it will take. We have a goal and we continue forward no matter what. it's impossible to know but you start understanding the players are better and we understand the league. We'll see in the future.

"It's really important but we have to recover the players. They were really tired and we have three days and then here at Old Trafford against Arsenal."

Man United will not claim a European spot via the Premier League this season unless there is an extraordinary turn of events in the final stages of the season, putting the team under pressure to triumph in the Europa League.

The 20-time English champions will head to Real Sociedad for the first leg of their last-16 clash on Thursday evening, before the return fixture takes place at Old Trafford one week later.

Rooney questions Amorim's Premier League title claim

Man United's all-time record goalscorer Wayne Rooney was questioned on Amorim's claim after the Fulham defeat, and the Englishman is struggling to see how his former club will be able to compete in the coming years.

"I think he'll get time. It's not a free hit because he'll expect more from #mufc than what we're seeing since he's been in. It's very difficult to come in during the season and have no pre-season, but he has to look to the future and moving forward," Rooney told BBC Sport.

"He says winning the Premier League, how can they compete? To get further up the table, I think that's the next step for them.

"Managers aren't getting that time over the last 10/15 years. You have to be selfish as a manager and say 'okay, if I don't do it now I might not get that time.' I think it's a little naive to say they're looking to win the Premier League because from where they are now, they're a long way off that."

Man United will return to Premier League action at home to Arsenal next weekend, before travelling to Leicester City in England's top flight ahead of the March international break.

Written by

Matt Law