Manchester United’s first team coach, Darren Fletcher, was already heading towards the tunnel even before Joshua Zirkzee’s crucial penalty against Fulham went wide.
The Red Devils were engaged in a penalty shootout with Marco Silva’s Fulham after a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Fulham had already converted their first four penalties, meaning Zirkzee had to score to keep Manchester United in the contest, especially after Victor Lindelof missed United’s previous penalty.
However, Zirkzee’s weak penalty was saved by Bernd Leno, securing Fulham’s victory.
The emotional Dutchman was comforted by his teammates after the disappointing moment.
According to Samuel Luckhurst of MEN, Fletcher seemed to lack confidence in United’s chances of winning the shootout.
Luckhurst wrote on X: “Darren Fletcher headed for the exit before Joshua Zirkzee took his penalty kick. Everyone knows the score with the team that barely score.”
Zirkzee, 23, has only managed to score three Premier League goals since his £36.5 million transfer from Bologna last summer.
Rasmus Hojlund, similarly, has scored just twice in the league this season.
He had already been substituted for 17-year-old Chido Obi before the penalty shootout.
After the match, Manchester United’s all-time top scorer, Wayne Rooney, stated that he would prefer to have Danny Welbeck at the club instead of their current attacking options.
Speaking as a BBC pundit, Rooney commented: “Danny’s great to play alongside.
“If I'm completely honest I'd probably like to still see him here, playing for Manchester United.
“He's scored goals throughout his career. He had injuries early on but he seems to have overcome them, and he's having a fantastic season.”
Rooney also had positive words for young Obi.
He added: “What I’ve really liked about him is he’s put himself in some really good positions — I’ve been really impressed by him.
“He looked like the one who could go on and nick it.”
Man Utd ratings vs Fulham
Manchester United were eliminated from the FA Cup on penalties by Fulham.
Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee had weak penalties saved as the Red Devils suffered their sixth home defeat under Ruben Amorim.
Fulham opened the scoring just before halftime with a clever corner routine.
Antonee Robinson flicked the corner to the near post, and Calvin Bassey headed it into the bottom corner.
Bruno Fernandes equalized for United, scoring from Diogo Dalot’s cutback.
United had opportunities to win it in the second half, but substitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Chido Obi couldn’t convert their chances.
Extra time didn’t produce a winner, leading to penalties.
Despite successful penalties from Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, and Casemiro, Lindelof and Zirkzee’s poor penalties were saved by Fulham’s goalkeeper Leno.
SunSport’s Ken Lawrence provides player ratings.
