Manchester United’s FA Cup campaign ended in disappointment as they were eliminated in the fifth round by Fulham in a tense penalty shootout at Old Trafford. Despite winning the coin toss and kicking first in front of the Stretford End, Erik ten Hag’s men faltered under pressure, losing 4-3 on penalties after both Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee failed to convert their spot-kicks.
The match itself was a frustrating affair for United, who fell behind to a powerful first-half header from Fulham defender Calvin Bassey. Bruno Fernandes restored parity with a stunning long-range strike, but despite pushing for a winner, the hosts were unable to break through in extra time.
Fan Outrage Erupts on Social Media
In an attempt to boost morale, Manchester United’s official social media account posted a message urging supporters to remain united. However, this backfired spectacularly as angry fans flooded the comments section with criticism.
One fan vented their frustration, stating: “You lose alone, bro! What do you all mean by this? Always losing and saying the same thing. Win important matches for once.” Another mocked the club’s post, replying: “You should just put ‘we lose together.’ You’re not winning anything at the moment.”
The penalty defeat intensified calls for a major squad overhaul, with supporters singling out specific players for their lack of impact. Young striker Chido Obi Martin impressed in his brief appearance, adding to the frustration over the underwhelming performances of more established forwards.
Strikers Højlund and Zirkzee Face Backlash
Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee bore the brunt of the criticism, with fans questioning their contributions to the team.
One fan went so far as to claim: “Højlund is by far the worst Premier League signing ever. He offers NOTHING. Not a United fan, a United hater even, and he still enrages me. As bad as Zirkzee is, he is five times the player Højlund is.”
Another supporter called for drastic changes in attack: “We need to get rid of Onana. No creativity in the team. Uncle Eriksen is doing better than some youngsters. Let’s get Victor Osimhen and get rid of Zirkzee & Højlund. We are not improving.”
Lindelöf’s Penalty Miss Adds Fuel to the Fire
Victor Lindelöf’s missed penalty also raised questions about his place in the squad. Many fans expressed disbelief that he was chosen for such a crucial moment, while others questioned why he remains at the club.
One fan remarked: “One of life’s greatest mysteries is how Victor Lindelöf is still a Man Utd player.” Another insisted: “Victor Lindelöf and Luke Shaw should leave Manchester United ASAP.”
However, some supporters pointed out that the club’s biggest issue was not the penalty shootout but their inability to score goals in regular time. “Manchester United not scoring enough goals in 90 minutes is the biggest problem every game. Lindelöf taking the penalty was not the problem,” one fan noted.
What’s Next for Manchester United?
With their FA Cup hopes now over, United must focus on salvaging their season in the Premier League and making a push in the Europa League. However, patience is wearing thin among the fanbase, and significant changes may be necessary to restore faith in the club’s direction.
