Manchester United

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Daily Mirror and Daily Star

There was a moment after 11 minutes at Old trafford on Sunday when supporters saw a glimmer of what Ruben Amorim is looking for from his team.

Manchester United moved the ball left across the defensive line to Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutchman hit an excellent crossfield pass to Diogo Dalot, who in turn laid it off to Christian Eriksen, who had found space between the penalty area and the touchline. The Dane's cross was just too high for Joshua Zirkzee. However, Manuel Ugarte retrieved it, passed the ball to Bruno Fernandes and his low shot was saved by Bernd Leno.

It was an excellent passage of play and maybe a sign Amorim's messaging on preferred style is getting through.

The problem is there is plenty of evidence to the contrary.

Neither Rasmus Hojlund nor Zirkzee, who worked hard without threatening, convince as a goalscoring forward, Andre Onana causes uncertainty at the back with some erratic decision-making and United's defenders are too easily caught ball-watching, as proved to be the case when Calvin Bassey put Fulham in front.

They do have Fernandes. Roy Keane might not like it but his old club would be in an even more pitiful state without him.

But the FA Cup is another one of the avenues to a European spot next season that has been closed.

It is a 10th defeat in 24 games for United since Amorim took over as head coach in November, and the sixth at Old Trafford. By contrast, it took predecessor Erik ten Hag 55 games to lose 10 matches.

Amorim has spoken of how hard his introduction to life at Old Trafford has been. He really needs to change the narrative.

Manchester City and Manchester United are keeping a close eye on Portugal winger Francisco Trincao, although Sporting hope to agree a new contract with the 25-year-old. (A Bola - in Portuguese), external

Manchester United are eyeing a summer move for Real Sociedad's Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, 26. (GiveMeSport), external

Manchester United want to sign Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, 26, from Napoli, who are evaluating whether to try to get Rasmus Hojlund as part of the deal. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Wayne Rooney
Former Manchester United forward on BBC One

Image source, Getty Images

I think Ruben Amorim will get time.

It's not a free hit because he will expect more from Manchester United than what we have been seeing since he has come 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.

He says the goal is winning the Premier League, but how can they compete? I think the next step for them is to get further up the table.

Managers aren't getting that time over the last 10 to 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 are looking to win the Premier League because, from where they are now, they are a long way off that.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been speaking to BBC Sport after his side were knocked out of the FA Cup: "We managed to score in the second half after that goal near half-time. It is harder for us to go and press a little bit higher, but we managed to do it and score.

"I think we had the best chances in the game. In the end, the penalties can go both ways and today it 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 with the first ball than the second ball. I think it is also sometimes the quality of the players - Bruno [Fernandes], Casemiro and Josh [Zirkzee] are improving a lot.

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

On penalty shootout: "I tried to relax the players. They know that it is something that is technical, but you have to be relaxed and confident."

On what Manchester United's goals are for the future: "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 but we have a goal and we continue forward no matter what. It is impossible to know, but you start understanding the players better and we understand the league. We'll see in the future."

Man Utd fans, what did you make of the performance? Let us know here

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This is the earliest Manchester United have exited the FA Cup as the reigning champions since 1996-97, when they went out in the fourth round after a defeat to AFC Wimbledon.

Across all competitions, Manchester United have conceded the opening goal of a game on 12 occasions at Old Trafford this season - the joint-most by any Premier League side in home matches, along with Leicester City (12).

Since making his debut in the competition in March 2020, Bruno Fernandes is the only player to reach double figures for goals in the FA Cup, having scored his 10th goal in this game.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

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Fulham fans - tell us what you made of the display here

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Two matches make up Sunday's FA Cup action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Newcastle United v Brighton (13:45) - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester United v Fulham (16:30)

All kick-off times GMT

Follow all of the action and reaction here

I am sick of backing Manchester United. Even though they beat Ipswich on Wednesday, they did not half make hard work of it and the Tractor Boys ran them close at Old Trafford.

Alejandro Garnacho appeared to have a bit of a hissy fit after being hooked before half-time, so it will be interesting to see how Ruben Amorim deals with that. He will not have any players left at this rate if he decides to leave Garnacho out.

United are the FA Cup holders and they have beaten Fulham home and away already this season, but on both occasions it was far from convincing, and I don't really care about that anyway.

Amorim is a likeable guy, and I have got sympathy for him about the size of his task at Old Trafford but, from watching United, I cannot think of any reason to back them to win this.

I am usually wrong about Fulham, but they are going to take this one - 100%.

Sutton's prediction: 0-3

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The road to Wembley continues this weekend, as teams battle it out to book their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

There is still lots of Premier League interest in the competition, with 11 top-flight teams all dreaming of a trip to Wembley. Aston Villa are already in the hat for the last eight after victory over Cardiff City on Friday.

The draw will take place on BBC One after Sunday's tie between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford, which kicks off at 16:30 GMT and features Danny Murphy, Micah Richards and Wayne Rooney in the studio with host Gary Lineker.

If you're wondering how to follow the remaining fifth-round ties, find all the information you need here.

Manchester United's players "believe" in "brilliant" manager Ruben Amorim's tactics despite a difficult run of form, says defender and former captain Harry Maguire.

The Red Devils recorded their first win in four Premier league games with a hard-fought victory over Ipswich on Wednesday, with the post-match celebrations emphasising how important the result was for United.

"This group of players believes in Ruben's tactics," Maguire said. "We know we probably need additions. We cant hide away from that. If we want to get back to winning titles, there will need to be additions to help the squad.

"Tactics is obviously a big thing because of the system we changed and play but if you analyse our games there are times when we are a back three, times when we are a back four and times when we are a back five. That's what happens in football generally these days.

"We have great belief in Ruben, his tactics and all his coaches."

Amorim arrived in November after United paid £11m to recruit the 39-year-old from Portuguese club Sporting. However, despite impressive results away at Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, the club have slipped from 13th in the Premier League when he arrived to 15th now.

"When he first came in, his ideas and energy was really refreshing," Maguire said. "We just haven't picked up the results we needed to. The belief is still there and we know we can improve as players.

"He has been brilliant. Personally he has given me great belief and confidence to express myself and to go out and play my best football.

"With the right structure and players in his team, there is no doubt he has proved at Sporting that his team wins trophies and football matches. It is down to the players to buy into it and make sure you are part of it for the long term."

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Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Whether Bruno Fernandes should be Manchester United's captain is the latest talking point in this challenging season for the club.

The Portugal international has probably been the most successful signing of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, with 89 goals and 79 assists in 272 games in all competitions.

He remains this season's standout performer as joint top scorer with Amad Diallo on six in the Premier League, and has also provided the most assists (seven).

But there have also been several instances in which he has been criticised for his attitude and discipline since signing from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, so his role as captain continues to divide opinion.

The latest person to spark the debate is former club captain Roy Keane, who claimed "talent is not enough" for Fernandes, who he also believes is "not a fighter".

Since February 2020, either Fernandes or Harry Maguire have been captain for the majority of Manchester United's games.

Fernandes was officially handed the armband in July 2023 when Maguire was dropped from Erik ten Hag's starting XI following a period of poor form and stripped of his captaincy.

According to Opta, Maguire boasts the better win ratio of 58.1% after leading United to 72 victories in his 124 games as captain.

Fernandes has managed two more wins - 74 - in his 146 matches as skipper, which converts to 50.7% to date.

Interestingly, Maguire ignored the chance to move in the summer and has gone on to outlast Ten Hag and turn into one of Ruben Amorim's key men.

Maguire has taken up the central role in Amorim's back three and has scored three key goals across the FA Cup, Europa League and Premier League.

Could the armband be passed on again in the summer?

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, PA Media

As a former Manchester United skipper, who took the club to huge success, Roy Keane led from the front. He also set incredibly high standards (most of the time) that challenged those he would regard as more able players to follow.

Keane has given Bruno Fernandes plenty of stick for his performances and the way he captains the current United team and waded in again yesterday in a fiery exchange with Ian Wright on the Stick to Football podcast.

The major problem is Fernandes is the best - and most creative - player in the current United squad.

Keane feels United are underperforming. But expecting them to reach the standards he set is futile. They cannot do it.

Former manager Erik ten Hag defended Fernandes against Keane's criticism and now Ruben Amorim has done the same.

Wright had a point in his argument with Keane, asking where United would be without him.

If it is bad now, it would be worse if Fernandes was not at the club.