Ruben Amorim admits his Man United players lack ‘quality’ in one key area… and reveals the three players who are ‘improving’ after his side’s FA Cup exit against Fulham
Ruben Amorim has admitted that Manchester United’s failure to create enough big chances this season is down to the ‘quality’ of his players.
Man United were largely ineffective going forward as they were booted out of the FA Cup by Fulham this afternoon, suffering yet another damning loss at Old Trafford.
Their only goal came through skipper and sole creative source Bruno Fernandes, who looked to have bailed his side out yet again with a clever second-half equaliser.
However, after failing to find a winner in extra time, United couldn’t get the job done from the spot as Bernd Leno stole the show to guide Fulham to victory on penalties.
Amorim was asked post-match why his team have struggled to create meaningful opportunities this term, with the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee underwhelming up front.
‘I think it’s sometimes the quality of the players,’ he said.
Ruben Amorim is watching his Man United tenure unravel after being booted out of the FA Cup
Bruno Fernandes’ clever equaliser was a rare bright spark in another dismal United outing
Joshua Zirkzee missed a penalty for United in their FA Cup shootout defeat to Fulham
‘Bruno, also Casemiro, Josh is improving a lot the connection, he’s fighting for every ball, he’s running all the pitch so it’s the quality of the players that help us to create more chances.’
While lamenting the current level of his players, Amorim’s comments indicated an optimism that things are slowly getting better at Old Trafford, even if the results don’t reflect that.
Today’s result nevertheless acted as a gut-wrenching blow to United’s already torrid season, with FA Cup elimination making it one less competition Amorim can find joy from in his first year.
United’s hopes of winning any silverware this season now rest on the Europa League, with a last 16 tie against Real Sociedad on the very near horizon.
But even amid the misery, Amorim is keeping his focus on the bigger picture as he dreams of returning United to the pinnacle of English football – something that’s not been seen since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.
‘The goal is to win the Premier League,’ he said. ‘I know that we are losing games and losing trophies during this season but the goal is to win the Premier League.
‘I don’t know how long it’s going to take. If you think like that, we can suffer a little bit in these defeats, a lot sometimes, but we have a goal so no matter what you continue forward.’
