Ruben Amorim says Manchester United must quickly put the Emirates FA Cup exit to Fulham behind us.
Bruno Fernandes's equaliser, after Calvin Bassey's header right at the end of the first half, hauled the Reds level, but there was no further breakthrough and the tie drifted to penalties.
The visitors won the shootout 4-3 to advance into the quarter-finals, where they will meet Crystal Palace at home.
After the game, Amorim spoke to the official broadcasters about United relinquishing our grip on the trophy, and leaving the Europa League as the only competition we are still fighting for in 2024/25...
COSTLY CONCESSION
“We managed to score in the second half but that goal, from a set-piece, we knew, at half-time, it would be harder for us, we'd have to press a little bit higher. We managed to do it, we scored and I think we had the best chances the game. Sometimes, we dropped a little bit. We cannot control all the game, we cannot press high all the game but we managed to understand the game.”
A GOOD SPELL
“I think we had 35 minutes of good possession, with control of the game, and, the rest of the game, we create the best chances. Sometimes, we cannot play 90 minutes the same way but we're increasing the time we play with good possession and more confidence. Sometimes, you win. Sometimes, you lose. We already knew this season was going to be like that.”
ON THE BREAK
“Garna [Alejandro Garnacho] is sometimes not in the right position to defend but in the perfect position for transition. We know that and we try to use that. I think it's also sometimes the quality of the players - Bruno, Casemiro, Josh [Zirkzee] is improving a lot with the connections and he is fighting a lot for every ball all over the pitch. So the players helped us create more chances.”
NO SHOOTOUT LUCK
“In the end, penalties can go both ways and today was not our day. You try to relax the players but they know what we need to do is something more technical. We tried to do it but we do not have the same feeling as against Arsenal. That was our day but this was not our day. We train before this match and then it's a feeling, we talk with the players and feel the players and then we choose but all the players wanted to take penalties. Sometimes, you don't have that little bit of luck to get to the next step.”
CREDIT TO BRUNO
“We need Bruno [deep] as he is the best player to do that. I think, in other games, we have a lack of confidence to bring the ball forward. Bruno is the best one to do it at the moment. I'm trying to push Bruno to help the team, to bring the game to the last third of the opponents, that is the idea. If you see the game, he is the guy that gives everything for the shirt and helping the others. He doesn't like to lose, he wants to win, and that is perfect for our club.”
TRUST IN YOUTH
“I think they have to be prepared. It is our tradition to put young players in the first team. Chido [Obi] did quite good during the game . Of course, they have to improve a lot but they are ready to play for Manchester United.”
THE MOOD
“It's hard. I'm not going to the locker room after the game. Of course, you saw it, when they went to the dressing room, they are upset and angry. I just focus on improving the performance. You cannot change the past. You have to focus on the future and we are improving. I feel our first 35 minutes were good so that is the focus and we can also create some momentum in the next game.”
THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS THE SAME
“The goal is to win the Premier League. So I know that we are losing games and losing trophies during this season but the goal is to win the Premier League again. I don't know how long it is going to take but that is our goal. If you think like that, we can suffer a little bit with this defeat. A lot sometimes. But we have a goal, no matter what, we continue to focus on it. It's impossible to know [when it can happen]. I'm starting to understand the players better and understand better the league. I know what to do with the squad, with the future and we will see in the future.
REAL SOCIEDAD NEXT
”It's really important. We have to recover the players and push the other players that are out. Like you saw today, they were really tired. We have a lot of recovery to be ready for the game. I think we are improving. I feel the players are more confident with the ball and the positioning. But I can see we need to win games in the end. Winning can help give confidence to the team but to maintain the idea, we show it every day in video an, in training, we use every little bit of training and the games to improve. It's just to focus on what we have to do. The only way I know how to help my players is not trying to push them up with kind words. It's just to focus on the next game, the characteristics of the opponents. Evaluate this game and it's the only wait to gain confidence because I don't know how to teach my players to be more confident. If we win, we'll be more confident so let's focus on the next game.“