The King Has Fallen: Man Utd Crash Out of FA Cup

09/03/2025, 08:22

Recently, Manchester United’s FA Cup title defense came to a crushing end as Fulham stunned the Red Devils in a dramatic penalty shootout to secure their place in the quarterfinals. Heading into the fifth-round clash at Old Trafford, Fulham had been in excellent form, while United continued to struggle with inconsistency. Despite playing at home, United failed to impose themselves and ultimately paid the price, with Bernd Leno emerging as Fulham’s hero in the penalty shootout.

202503030731381.jpeg

As the reigning FA Cup champions, United had high hopes of keeping their trophy defense alive. They had edged past Leicester in the previous round, thanks to a controversial late winner from Harry Maguire, who was in an offside position—a goal that stood due to the absence of VAR in the fourth round. Ruben Amorim’s side also carried some momentum into this fixture after a narrow 3-2 Premier League win over Ipswich, in which Maguire once again delivered the decisive goal.

History had favored United in this stage of the FA Cup, with the club advancing from the fifth round in 14 consecutive appearances. But this time, history did not repeat itself.

202503030731382.jpeg
202503030731383.jpeg
Fulham Strike First

United started on the front foot, pushing forward with intensity and enjoying the backing of the Old Trafford crowd. The home side created multiple chances but lacked the cutting edge to convert them.

Then, just before halftime, Fulham delivered a sucker punch. From a corner kick, Rodrigo Muniz rose highest to flick the ball toward Calvin Bassey, who reacted quickly to nod it past André Onana from close range. Fulham went into the break with a 1-0 lead, leaving United with it all to do in the second half.

202503030731384.jpeg
Bruno Rescues United

Knowing they had to respond, United threw everything forward in search of an equalizer. However, Fulham’s defense held firm, frustrating the home side.

It took a moment of brilliance from Bruno Fernandes to finally break the visitors’ resistance. In the 71st minute, Diogo Dalot picked out the United captain, who unleashed a left-footed strike that skimmed across the turf and beat Leno at his near post.

United pushed for a winner, but Fulham remained dangerous on the counter. In the dying moments of regulation time, Emile Smith Rowe nearly won it for the visitors with a powerful strike from outside the box, but Onana produced a crucial save to force extra time.

202503030731385.jpeg
Leno shined in the penalty shootout.

Both sides played cautiously in extra time, wary of making a costly mistake. The best chance fell to Fulham’s Adama Traoré, who broke free in the 105th minute, but Onana once again came to United’s rescue.

With no goals in extra time, the match went to penalties, where Leno stole the show. The Fulham goalkeeper made two stunning saves—denying Victor Lindelöf and Joshua Zirkzee—to send the Cottagers through and officially dethrone United as FA Cup holders.

202503030731386.jpeg
Amorim's last remaining hope is the Europa League.

United’s FA Cup exit is yet another major blow in a disastrous season. Currently sitting 14th in the Premier League and miles off the top-four race, their only remaining hope for redemption lies in the Europa League. Amorim’s side now face a must-win clash against Real Sociedad next week, knowing that lifting the Europa League trophy is their only realistic path to securing European football next season. For now, though, the FA Cup dream is over—United’s reign has ended, and Fulham march on.

UYEN LINH

According to Bao Binh Thuan
Copy Link
Related articles
Back to the Top for Barcelona
BTO-Before taking on Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona had the chance to claim the top spot in La Liga after both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid were held to 1-1 draws in Round 24 (Real drew with Osasuna, Atletico drew with Celta Vigo). The Catalan side did not waste this golden opportunity, edging past Rayo Vallecano 1-0 to leapfrog to first place.

(0) Comments
Focus
The Worthy Heir to the King of Clay’s Throne
BTO-The 2025 Rome Masters final delivered what could only be described as a “super classic” of the new tennis era. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz faced off in a long-anticipated showdown, and it was Alcaraz who emerged victorious to claim the prestigious title.
Do not miss
  • Colorful Áo Dài and Folk Dance Showcase Marks 50 Years of Liberation
    28 yesterday Culture
    BTO – On the morning of April 26, the Bình Thuận Provincial Women's Union organized a mass Áo Dài and folk dance performance at Nguyễn Tất Thành Square in Phan Thiết City, featuring the participation of 600 female officials, members,...
  • Farewell to the “Bavarian Giants”
    one month ago Sports
    BTO-After a courageous 2-1 victory in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, Inter Milan returned home to host Bayern Munich in the second leg. Though a one-goal lead was far from secure, the Italian side left no room...
  • No Miracle at Signal Iduna Park
    one month ago Sports
    BTO-Barcelona has a reputation for collapsing under pressure, having twice squandered significant first-leg advantages in the Champions League knockout stages. That gave Dortmund hope for a dramatic comeback at Signal Iduna Park in...
  • Phan Thiết – The 50-Year Journey: From Liberation to a Dynamic, Modern Coastal City
    one month ago Business
    April 19, 1975 – April 19, 2025: A proud 50-year milestone since the liberation of Phan Thiết. Half a century may not be long in the grand flow of history, but for Phan Thiết—a land once scarred by war—it marks a powerful transformation....
  • Red Devils Hold Off Blue Tide in Manchester Derby Stalemate
    one month ago Sports
    BTO-On the night of April 6, a classic Manchester derby unfolded at Old Trafford in Matchweek 31 of the Premier League, where Manchester United and Manchester City clashed in a high-stakes encounter. Despite having little left to fight...
  • Nou Camp Nightmare: Dortmund Swept Aside by Ruthless Barca
    one month ago Sports
    BTO-Barcelona put on a dominant display in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg, thrashing Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in a one-sided encounter at the Nou Camp. The Catalan giants delighted their home crowd with a goal-fest, featuring...
  • Liverpool Bounces Back with Vital Victory Over Everton, Keeping Arsenal at Bay
    one month ago Sports
    BTO-After consecutive failures in the FA Cup, Champions League, and League Cup, the morale of Arne Slot's squad has been declining. Facing pressure following Arsenal's victory in the early match the day before, Liverpool was compelled...
  • The Beauty of Hòn Cau Island
    one month ago LANDSCAPES
    March signals the perfect time for a visit to Hòn Cau Island (Phước Thể, Tuy Phong) as the weather transitions and the golden sunlight bathes the island. Located about 110 km from Phan Thiết, Cù Lao Câu is a pristine, uninhabited island...
  • The Final Goal
    one month ago Sports
    BTO-Manchester City now only has one goal left: winning the FA Cup to salvage what has been a “disastrous” season. As a result, Coach Pep Guardiola and his players have put all their energy into the world’s oldest football tournament....
  • Regaining the Top Spot
    2 month ago Sports
    Playing a day before their arch-rivals Barcelona, Real Madrid took full advantage of the opportunity to reclaim the top spot in La Liga with a comfortable 2-1 victory over Villarreal, thanks to a brace from Mbappe.
  • A Hard-Fought Victory
    2 month ago Sports
    BTO-On the evening of March 19, the Vietnam national team played their first international match since winning the AFF Cup 2024, hosting Cambodia in a friendly at Gò Đậu Stadium (Bình Dương). Given their superior standing, a victory...
  • Farewell to the "King of Cups"
    2 month ago Sports
    BTO-After suffering a 1-0 home defeat in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16, the French football powerhouse PSG was under immense pressure to win the return leg away at Liverpool. And they did just that, securing a place...
  • Surrendering the Title
    2 month ago Sports
    BTO- The highlight of Premier League Matchweek 28 was the showdown between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford. Arsenal desperately needed a victory to keep up with Liverpool, but they could only manage a draw, while the league...
  • Even Djokovic Can’t Defy Time
    2 month ago Sports
    BTO-Novak Djokovic has just suffered a defeat against Botic Van De Zandschulp in the second round of  Indian Wells 2025, marking the first time in seven years that he has lost three consecutive matches. At 37 years old, Djokovic is...
  • Binh Thuan Province to cooperate with Sun Group to unlock its Tourism Strengths
    BTO – On early March, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and the People's Committee of Binh Thuan Province held a meeting with Sun Group regarding investment cooperation.
  • The King Has Fallen: Man Utd Crash Out of FA Cup
    2 month ago Sports
    Recently, Manchester United’s FA Cup title defense came to a crushing end as Fulham stunned the Red Devils in a dramatic penalty shootout to secure their place in the quarterfinals. Heading into the fifth-round clash at Old Trafford,...
  • Sunset Slope: Phan Thiet’s Hidden Gem for Breathtaking Views
    2 month ago LANDSCAPES
    BTO – Still in the heat of the first two lunar months, Sunset Slope on Co Mountain has become a renowned sunset-watching spot in Phan Thiet. Located in Phu Hai Ward, this stunning location offers breathtaking views of the mountains...
  • Victory Seals the Throne
    3 month ago Sports
    BTO-After suffering a loss in the first leg at home last week, Manchester City finds itself in a tough spot in its quest for a spot in the Champions League Round of 16 against Real Madrid. This defeat marked their first loss to Madrid...
  • Tough game Alonso!
    3 month ago Sports
    BTO-The Round 22 Bundesliga showdown between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich was one of the most anticipated of the season. On one side, there were the defending champions, and on the other, the league leaders. Bayern entered the...
  • Back to the Top for Barcelona
    3 month ago Sports
    BTO-Before taking on Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona had the chance to claim the top spot in La Liga after both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid were held to 1-1 draws in Round 24 (Real drew with Osasuna, Atletico drew with Celta Vigo). The...
POWERED BY ONECMS - A PRODUCT OF NEKO
The King Has Fallen: Man Utd Crash Out of FA Cup