Alejandro Garnacho has issued a three-word reaction after Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup fifth round against Fulham on Sunday evening. The Red Devils’ defence ended on penalties following a gruelling 120 minutes at Old Trafford, dealing the latest of many blows at the start of Ruben Amorim’s reign as head coach.

Garnacho started on the bench after Amorim revealed he picked up a slight knock before his early withdrawal in last Wednesday’s win against Ipswich Town. The 20-year-old winger entered the pitch in the 53rd minute and breathed life into the flailing hosts, who used every outfield option available in the squad. However, he raised eyebrows by not stepping up to take a penalty in the decisive shoot-out as United got sent packing.

Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Casemiro made no mistake from the spot, with Raul Jimenez, Sander Berge and Willian responding.

Victor Lindelof was a surprise taker and never looked confident before Bernd Leno saved an unconvincing effort.

Antonee Robinson then sent the visitors before Leno denied a second successive strike from Joshua Zirkzee – the hero in the third-round penalty victory at Arsenal.

It leaves United’s season resting on Europa League glory ahead of a daunting two-legged round of 16 tie against Real Sociedad.

On Monday, Garnacho reacted to the crushing Fulham defeat, posting an image of himself sitting on the Old Trafford pitch, captioned: “Sorry United fans [teary eye emoji].”

The mood will have hit a new low at Carrington this week, but Amorim’s squad have no time to mourn ahead of Thursday’s trip to San Sebastian.

La Real await in the Europa League last 16 after finishing 13th in the league phase, five points behind United, and beating Midtjylland in their knockout play-off.

United have a largely miserable recent history against Spanish opposition, but Thursday’s opponents join them in enduring a poor league season, sitting in ninth in La Liga.

European qualification via the Premier League looks too far gone for the Old Trafford giants, languishing in 14th, 10 points adrift from the top eight with Arsenal to face on Sunday.

The Europa League is Amorim’s last remaining path, offering a golden ticket into next season’s Champions League with a triumph in Bilbao on May 21.

United looked dead on their feet after the 120 minutes against Fulham on Sunday, though. That followed having just 10 men for longer than a half in Ipswich’s visit days earlier.

The prospect of any Europa League-shaped reprieve currently appears faint, and Garnacho will play a major role if United are to spring a surprise.