Ruben Amorim: Man Utd's goal still to win Premier League title | OneFootball

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is looking past current disappointments to focus on the club's long-term goal of winning a 14th Premier League title.

All 13 of United's previous triumphs were under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson, who revolutionised the British game during a storied 27-year tenure at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have never finished lower than eighth in any Premier League campaign but will almost certainly have bucked that trend by the time the 2024/25 campaign comes to a close. Currently, United are 14th in the table, ten points adrift of Brighton in eighth, and have lost 12 of the 27 games they've played.

United's FA Cup reign is also over after Sunday's penalty shootout defeat to Fulham in the fifth round, meaning European qualification for next season can only be attained by winning the Europa League – Real Sociedad await the 2016/17 winners in the round of 16.

Amorim, who has won ten, drawn five and lost nine of his 24 games in charge, has often cut a forlorn figure in United's dugout, pained by his side's inability to adapt to his tactics and string together consistent performances.

But he was upbeat in the aftermath of United's latest setback, stating that ambitions remain lofty despite the current turmoil.

"The goal is to win the Premier League," the former Sporting CP boss told reporters. "So I know that we are losing games and losing trophies during this season but the goal is to win the Premier League again.

"I don't know how long it is going to take but that is our goal. If you think like that, we can suffer a little bit with this defeat. A lot sometimes. But we have a goal, no matter what, we continue to focus on it. It's impossible to know [when it can happen]. I'm starting to understand the players better and understand better the league. I know what to do with the squad, with the future and we will see in the future."

Amorim pleased with youngsters Obi and Heaven

Chido Obi had chances to win United's FA Cup tie with Fulham / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

United famously won the 1995/96 Premier League title after introducing Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and David Beckham into the first team, proving leading pundit Alan Hansen wrong after he stated at the beginning of the campaign that "you'll never win anything with kids".

Replicating that success is probably a stretch too far for United's current crop, as good as they are, though Amorim was more than complementary of the performances of substitutes Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven against Fulham, the latter of whom was making his debut after recently joining from Arsenal.

"They are players with talent and then, when you have this moment with some injuries, they have to be ready," Amorim remarked of his young duo. "It's our tradition to put players in to play, especially in this moment.

"We have to focus on everything, the future is right there and the young kids can feel the club and can change things sometimes for us, without buying players. And I think Chido did really well today. Of course, he was a little bit naïve in some moments, but you felt that, inside the box, he wants the ball – something the strikers have and he has.

"Ayden was really relaxed during the game so I’m quite happy for them but it’s a tough first [home] game for them."