Manchester United’s defence of the FA Cup ended in the fifth round as they lost 3-4 to Fulham via a penalty shootout on Sunday after the game had finished 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
It was Calvin Bassey who handed the visitors the lead at the stroke of half-time but the hosts equalised in the second-half through Bruno Fernandes.
After 120 minutes, the game went to the lottery of a shootout and unfortunately, Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee missed from the spot to hand the Cottagers entry into the quarterfinals.
It was yet another disappointing outing for Rasmus Hojlund, whose goalless drought has now crossed 18 games and with his confidence shattered, Ruben Amorim must think about taking him out of the firing line.
Chido’s brilliant impact off the bench
Chido Obi’s impressive cameo, which had pundits purring, must have given the head coach food for thought ahead of the all-important Europa League game against Real Sociedad.
After the game, the Portuguese told MUTV, “I think Chido did really well today. Of course, he was a little bit naïve in some moments, but you felt that, inside the box, he wants the ball – something the strikers have and he has.”
It was the ex-Arsenal starlet’s first appearance at Old Trafford while another Arsenal youth product, Ayden Heaven came on for his club debut in added time following Harry Maguire’s injury.
The 18-year-old was impressive under pressure and hardly put a foot wrong. Given Maguire’s injury and Leny Yoro’s early substitution, Heaven has the chance to earn more minutes in the coming weeks.
Heaven impressed on his debut
The brilliant young duo were reminders of the talents Carrington possesses and given the club’s financial and injury problems, solutions can always be found in-house.
“Ayden was really relaxed during the game so I’m quite happy for them but it’s a tough first [home] game for them.
“They are players with talent and then, when you have this moment with some injuries, they have to be ready. It’s our tradition to put players in to play, especially in this moment.
“We have to focus on everything, the future is right there and the young kids can feel the club and can change things sometimes for us, without buying players.”
Feature image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
