As United continue to sink there is no sign things are going to get better

Analysis: Manchester United’s collapse leaves the FA Cup nearly free of superclubs Exiting the FA Cup on penalties at home to Fulham is a new low in a season full of them for Ruben Amorim’s side

ZIRK DE SO-LAME: Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee dejected at the final whistle after the Emirates FA Cup fifth round match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

What links Jack Robson, Lal Hilditch, Herbert Bamlett and Ruben Amorim?

They’re the only permanent managers in Manchester United history with a career negative goal-difference. Other than Amorim, the other three worked between 1914 and 1931. Sunday’s FA Cup exit against Fulham, admittedly, did not contribute to that. It was possible, even, in the aftermath of a penalty shootout defeat, to argue it had been one of United’s better recent performances. They’ve only lost two of their previous eight games. But it’s also just 3 March and United already have no chance of winning any domestic competition this season.