Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee has apologised for 'letting down' the fans after missing the decisive penalty in the FA Cup fifth round defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford.
The visitors took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Calvin Bassey was allowed a free header from point blank range. United failed to offer much in the second half but did manage to rescue an equaliser through a piece of Bruno Fernandes magic.
United arguably had the better of the resulting extra-time with Chido Obi going closest but the teenager was denied by Bernd Leno. Eventually, penalties were needed to decide the contest and after Victor Lindelof had missed the spot kick prior, Zirkzee needed to score to keep his side in it but was denied by Leno.
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Taking to Instagram after the game, a gutted Zirkzee issued an apology to the supporters. "Sorry to let you down today Reds," he wrote.
"Thanks for the incredible support," which was accompanied by a red love heart emoji. Defeat for United meant they missed out on a home quarter-final against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.
Zirkzee and his Reds teammates have an almost immediate opportunity to put things right when they travel to San Sebastian to take on Real Sociedad in the Europa League last-16. Arguably the competition represents United's last chance to qualify for Europe after a dismal Premier League campaign sees them languishing in the bottom half of the table.
Speaking after the match, Ruben Amorim declared that the long-term ambition is to win the Premier League and, as such, disappointment in the cup competitions can be expected.
