Bruno Fernandes Remains Focused on Silverware Hunt Despite Man Utd’s FA Cup Exit

Bruno Fernandes insists silverware remains the priority for misfiring Manchester United as they shift focus to the Europa League following their disappointing FA Cup exit to Fulham.

Last May’s Wembley triumph over Manchester City salvaged a difficult season for Erik ten Hag, but his successor Ruben Amorim saw United crash out in the fifth round at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Fernandes forced extra time with a stunning equalizer to cancel out Calvin Bassey’s header, but the match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes before Fulham secured a 4-3 penalty shootout win, with Bernd Leno saving efforts from Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee.

With United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, the Europa League now represents their only realistic chance at silverware and European qualification.

“Of course, I helped the team get back into the game, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough today,” Fernandes said.

“But we move forward now, focusing on the next game and a competition where we want to progress. One of our goals this season is to win a trophy.”

United now turn their attention to Thursday’s Europa League round of 16 first leg against Real Sociedad in Spain, a tie that takes on added significance after their FA Cup elimination.

“We know we’ve had many injuries during this period and don’t have as many players as we’d like,” Fernandes told MUTV.

“We’ve been playing almost always with the same players for long spells and it’s been difficult, so we just now need to recover and focus ourselves to do the best we can, to get the best fresh legs to the next game.

We win together and we lose together.

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— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 2, 2025

“It’s going to be a tough one. A Spanish team that plays brilliant football.

“Very, very good players up front, very (good) quality coming out from the back, so we need to be fresh to run again, because they will make us run and then when we have the ball we have to make them run too.”

As United turn their attention to European competition, Fulham have two league fixtures before an exciting FA Cup quarter-final clash at home against Crystal Palace after the international break.

This year marks 50 years since Fulham’s only FA Cup final appearance, and penalty shootout hero Bernd Leno was thrilled by Sunday’s memorable triumph at Old Trafford.

“It feels amazing—the way we played, and then winning on penalties,” the Fulham goalkeeper told FFC TV. “The fans were incredible. A brilliant day for all of us.

“Sometimes penalties are a bit of a lottery, and today we won the jackpot.”

Standout midfielder Sander Berge looked ahead to the quarter-final, saying: “We’re excited for that game.

“It’s a massive tie, and reaching Wembley is a huge motivation. We can’t wait for the challenge.”

“We have a little work to be done there after last game against them (when we lost 2-0 at home) and we really look forward to that.

“And Wembley, we talked about it before the game today and now we’re one step closer. Now all focus on the league and then we look forward to it.”