Ruben Amorim targets Premier League after Man Utd's FA Cup heartbreak

    Manchester United's hopes of retaining the FA Cup were dashed on Sunday as Fulham knocked them out in a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout at Old Trafford after the scores were tied at 1-1 after extra-time.

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    Despite the setback, manager Ruben Amorim has insisted that the Premier League title remains the Red Devils' primary target.

    The fifth-round clash saw Fulham take the lead just before half-time when Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey headed home from an Andreas Pereira corner. United captain Bruno Fernandes leveled the score in the 71st minute with a clinical finish from Diogo Dalot's cross, forcing extra time.

    After a tense stalemate, Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno emerged as the hero, saving penalties from Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee to secure the upset.

    Amorim, however, refused to dwell on the defeat. "The goal is to win the Premier League," he said post-match. "We're losing games and trophies this season, but that's our focus. I don't know how long it will take, but we keep pushing forward, no matter what."

    The Portuguese boss, who took over from Erik ten Hag in November, admitted the road ahead is tough but urged his squad to stay the course.

    United's season has been a rollercoaster, with the team languishing in 14th place in the Premier League and now eliminated from the FA Cup—a competition they won last year against rivals Manchester City.

    Their attention now turns to the Europa League, where they face Real Sociedad in the last 16 on Thursday, offering their only remaining shot at silverware this term.

    On the pitch, United struggled to find rhythm. Rasmus Hojlund, still without a goal in 18 games, squandered an early chance, while Christian Eriksen's curling effort was thwarted by Leno. Fulham capitalized on United's set-piece frailties, with Bassey outmuscling Noussair Mazraoui to score. The home crowd's frustration was palpable—boos rang out at half-time, and banners protesting ticket price hikes dotted the stands.

    Fulham's Timothy Castagne, who once lifted the FA Cup with Leicester City, savored the victory. "It was a long game, but a great result," he told the club's website. "Bernd did his job in the shootout. I'd love to win this competition again—it'd be unbelievable!"

    Meanwhile, Amorim's decision to bench Alejandro Garnacho until the 53rd minute raised eyebrows. The young winger, recently disciplined for storming off after a substitution against Ipswich, came on to a mixed reception but couldn't turn the tide.

    Recent updates from United's official X account confirmed the squad's focus is shifting quickly. "Full attention on Real Sociedad now," the club posted on Monday, signaling their intent to regroup for Europe. Amorim echoed this sentiment in a follow-up press conference, saying, "We learn, we hurt, but we move on."

    For Fulham, the win marks a historic scalp, while United face mounting pressure ahead of a crucial week that includes a Premier League showdown with Arsenal. The Red Devils' faithful will hope Amorim's bold vision for league glory isn't just talk—they're desperate for action.