Reigning champions Manchester United have been sent crashing out of the FA Cup following a penalty shootout loss to fellow Premier League side Fulham in the fifth-round on Sunday night.
The Red Devils welcomed the Cottagers to Old Trafford looking to make the quarter finals of the world’s oldest club cup competition for a third consecutive season, and they started brightly with some possession play but did not pose any threat.
It was Fulham that found the breakthrough in first half injury time when Andreas Pereira’s out-swinging corner was flicked on by Rodrigo Muniz, and defender Calvin Bassey headed home as the Cottagers took an invaluable lead at half-time.
United boss Ruben Amorim brought on Alejandro Garnacho and Victor Lindelof for the second half as they sought the equaliser which was proving hard to get against a determined Fulham side.
The Red Devils had a few opportunities of their own, with Noussair Mazraoui bursting into the box after 57 minutes but seeing his header easily saved by Leno.
Casemiro and Chido Obi’s introduction to the game sparked some life into United’s display and they soon found the equaliser.
Alejandro Garnacho played in Diogo Dalot, who found Fernandes with a ball across the area. The Portuguese international fired home a great finish into the bottom left hand corner, giving Leno no chance.
An additional 30 minutes of extra-time could not separate both teams after scores were locked at 1-1, sending the game to penalties.
The trio of Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Casemiro converted their spot-kicks for United but Joshua Zirkzee and Victor Lindelof were denied by Leno from 12 yards, while Raul Gimenez, Berge, Willian and Antonee Robinson all converted their penalties to send Fulham through to the quarter-finals.