Bruno Fernandes insisted that Manchester United players must not forget what their “main focus” is now after the Red Devils’ FA Cup exit at the hands of Fulham.
Manchester United’s FA Cup title defence in the 2024-25 campaign came to a crashing halt on Sunday evening after their penalty shootout defeat at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils were placed on the back foot after Calvin Bassey broke the deadlock for Fulham in the first half of injury time and United went into the break 1-0 down.
However, Bruno Fernandes rallied United’s comeback in the second half and the 30-year-old Red Devils captain produced a stunning finish to pull his side level.
Ruben Amorim’s men played out extra time at Old Trafford and neither United nor Fulham were able to find the winner ahead of penalties.
United successfully converted their opening three penalty kicks in the shootout, while Fulham netted all four of their penalties from the spot-kick.
However, Bernd Leno denied both Joshua Zirkzee and Victor Lindelof from the spot-kick to seal a 4-3 penalty shootout win for Fulham at Old Trafford.
Fernandes breaks silence after Man Utd defeat
Fulham punched their ticket to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after knocking Manchester United out of the competition in the fifth round.
Ruben Amorim’s last shot of capturing major silverware as United manager in his debut season at Old Trafford hangs on the Red Devils winning the Europa League.
United progressed out of the league phase format of the 2024-25 Europa League tournament and Amorim’s men are through to the knockout rounds.
The Red Devils will travel to the Anoeta Stadium on Thursday for the first leg of their last-16 encounter with La Liga outfit Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
Speaking after the FA Cup defeat to Fulham, Bruno Fernandes reminded his United teammates that progression in the Europa League remains a top priority.
“Of course, I help the team to draw the game and to try to get back into the game to win it, but unfortunately, it was not enough today,” he told MUTV, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“But we look forward now to the rest of the season, obviously with the main focus now on the next game in a competition where we want to go forward.
“It’s one of our goals for this season to try to get a trophy.”
Fernandes on Man Utd’s defeat to Fulham
Fernandes claimed that United were in control of the match for the first half before the Red Devils’ vulnerability from set pieces caught up with them ahead of half-time.
“I think we controlled the game,” he added.
“In one moment in the first half where we concede the goal, we talk about during the week, that they do that in set-pieces. We should have been more aware of that.
“But I think we controlled the game in the first half very well, we had some chances, in the second half even more.
“Then in extra-time, I think Fulham had a little bit more control of the game, but we had the better chances to end up scoring a goal, but we didn’t, and then the penalties, they were more efficient than us.”
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