Wayne Rooney gives instant verdict on Manchester United FA Cup exit, points out biggest disappointment

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Manchester United have crashed out of the FA Cup following a lacklustre performance against Fulham at Old Trafford.

A dire first-half for Manchester United got worse as Calvin Bassey gave Fulham a 1-0 lead on the brink of half-time.

United were marginally better in the second half and it took 71 minutes for Bruno Fernandes to score the equaliser.

It was a game that lacked goalscoring opportunities, but it became an end-to-end affair in the second half of extra time.

There was no winner after 120 minutes but two poor penalties from United meant Fulham were successful in the shootout.

The draw for the quarter-finals took place at Old Trafford after the match and Fulham were drawn at home to Crystal Palace.

Sadly, the Reds won’t be defending their FA Cup crown this season.

Here’s what we learned from United’s penalty shootout defeat against Fulham.

Wayne Rooney reacts to Manchester United defeat

Wayne Rooney was deeply disappointed after watching United crash out of the FA Cup on penalties.

It was Fulham’s first victory over United in the FA Cup since 1908 and it comes as a huge blow for Ruben Amorim and his players.

Sitting in the studio for the match, providing match analysis for the FA Cup, United’s all-time record scorer Rooney reacted to the ‘disappointing’ defeat.

Rooney stressed that it sums up United’s season to date and claims it’s a missed opportunity considering which teams remain in the competition.

“It sums up their season really,” Rooney said during a live BBC broadcast. “Very disappointing really.

“With the amount of top teams already out of the competition, it was a great opportunity for Man Utd. They’ve fallen short, it was two bad penalties.”

Now, the only competition United can win this season is the Europa League. It may well be the only route into Europe for United’s first team.

Manchester United miss golden opportunity in FA Cup

Rooney states that the biggest disappointment from United’s defeat comes when looking at the other teams left in the FA Cup.

Although United were unable to beat Fulham in the fifth round, most United fans would fancy the team – at their best – against Manchester City and Aston Villa, even if our Premier League form would suggest otherwise.

Especially when United appear to be a cup team more than anything else.

FA Cup quarter-final draw

• Fulham v Crystal Palace
• Preston North End vs Aston Villa
• Bournemouth vs Manchester City
• Brighton vs Nottingham Forest/Ipswich Town

A win over Fulham would have seen United earn a home draw against Crystal Palace.

But after knocking Arsenal and Leicester City out in previous rounds, it’s United’s turn to crash out of the competition.

The Reds were unable to replicate last season’s success.