Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim after FA Cup exit to Fulham: 'The goal is to win the Premier League'
Updated 02/03/2025 at 23:19 GMT
Fulham claimed a famous FA Cup win at Old Trafford, beating Manchester United on penalties to reach the quarter-finals and set up a meeting against Crystal Palace. After the game, a disappointed Ruben Amorim raised eyebrows by saying the club's goal "is to win the Premier League title" - something they haven't done in 12 years - and hit back at Wayne Rooney's suggestion his comments were "naive".
‘I am not naïve’ – Amorim defends bullish Premier League target after FA Cup loss
Video credit: SNTV
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said his team's goal is to win the Premier League title, just minutes after his side crashed out of the FA Cup.
United exited the competition they were defending at the fifth-round stage, beaten on penalties by Fulham at Old Trafford.
Amorim cut a disappointed figure after the game, but insisted the main aim remained unchanged – to become England's top team again.
"The goal is to win the Premier League. I know that we are losing games but the goal is to win the Premier League again," Amorim told BBC Sport.
"I don't know how long it will take. We have a goal and we continue forward no matter what. It's impossible to know but you start understanding the players are better and we understand the league. We'll see in the future."
The Red Devils have not won the league since they claimed their 20th title in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season in charge.
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The last 12 years have generally been a struggle for United. They have picked up two FA Cups, two League Cups and the UEFA Europa League, but have not seriously looked like being champions.
After the game, BBC pundit Wayne Rooney said it was "naive" for Amorim to be talking about league titles given United's current struggles. They are in 14th place in the league table.
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Amorim was asked about that comment from former Manchester United star Rooney in his press conference after the match, and true to form he came out fighting.
"I am not naive. That is why I am here at 40 years old, coaching Manchester United," Amorim said.
Fulham now face an FA Cup sixth-round tie against Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage, as they set their sights on reaching a first final in half a century.
Manager Marco Silva believes his team were good value for their victory.
"They had chances, like we had as well," Silva said. "In that aspect, I think the game was balanced, but much more us in control, much more taking the responsibility to control the game on the ball – it is our way, our identity.
"And overall looking at the game, I really believe that we deserve to be in the next stage."
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Bernd Leno of Fulham is mobbed by team-mates after his heroics at Old Trafford
Image credit: Getty Images
Goalkeeper Bernd Leno saved two penalties in the shootout, and says the Fulham players will now be dreaming of Wembley.
"Unbelievable. I think we deserved to win after 90 minutes. Of course, penalties, it is sometimes a lottery and luckily we won," Leno said.
"The goalie coach told me couple of information, but my feeling is more important. I went the wrong way three times, but credit to our penalty takers – it is not easy.
"Brilliant job from all of us. We want to go to Wembley, 100%."
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