Manchester United's pivotal week under head coach Ruben Amorim began with a significant setback as they were eliminated from the FA Cup by Fulham. The holders were ousted in a tense penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw, with Victor Lindelöf and Joshua Zirkzee missing their spot-kicks.

The FA Cup Exit

The match, devoid of any real quality over 120 minutes, saw Fulham triumph 4-3 on penalties. This exit closes another door for Amorim, who now faces heightened pressure ahead of Thursday's Europa League round of 16 tie against Real Sociedad. Winning the Europa League offers a trophy and a place in next season's Champions League, which could turn this season into something resembling a success.

Performance Analysis

United's performance against Fulham lacked cutting edge in key moments. 'In the end, the penalties can go both ways and today wasn't our way,' Amorim said. 'We know that we are losing games, but the goal is to win the Premier League again.'

The fifth consecutive match in which United conceded the first goal highlighted their defensive frailties. Fulham's Calvin Bassey scored from a set piece, capitalizing on a poor decision to award a corner. This moment underscored the team's ongoing struggles with set-piece defense.

Bruno Fernandes' Impact

Bruno Fernandes once again proved to be United's most important player, dragging them level in the second half with a superb strike. However, his efforts weren't enough to secure victory. Fernandes stepped up first in the penalty shootout and scored, but without the support of his teammates, United's FA Cup run came to an end.

Looking Ahead

United's focus now shifts to the Europa League, where they face Real Sociedad in a must-win match. Amorim's tenure, marked by inconsistency, faces a crucial test. The Portuguese coach has lost 10 of his 25 games since replacing Erik ten Hag, and with United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, the Europa League represents their last chance for silverware and European qualification.

Fulham, on the other hand, can look forward to a quarterfinal against Crystal Palace, buoyed by their victory at Old Trafford. For Amorim and Manchester United, it's a week that could define their season.