Monday’s briefing: Amorim rejects ‘naive’ tag as Gordon sees red before final

Sunday was a day for things going from bad to worse for a number of teams and individuals.

FA Cup holders Manchester United were knocked out by Fulham on penalties, further increasing the scrutiny on head coach Ruben Amorim.

Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon’s flash of temper will see him miss the Carabao Cup final, while the long-awaited Chelsea debut of world-record signing Naomi Girma did not go to plan.

‘I’m not naive’ says Amorim

Ruben Amorim has hit back at Wayne Rooney’s suggestion he was “naive” to talk about winning the Premier League following the FA Cup fifth-round exit at the hands of Fulham.

Amorim’s maiden season hit another low with a penalty shootout defeat at home to Fulham, after Bruno Fernandes cancelled out Calvin Bassey’s opener, to leave the Europa League as the club’s only chance of silverware and European qualification.

In response to Amorim’s post-match television interview in which he stressed “the goal is to win the Premier League again” Rooney, a pundit for the BBC, said “it’s a little bit naive to say, ‘we’re looking to win the Premier League’ because, from where they are now, they’re a long way off that”.

Amorim was asked at his press conference whether it was realistic to talk about winning the title and said: “That is the goal.

“Being naive is to think that we are going to do it this season or going to be the best contender for the next season.

“Maybe it is not with me but our goal is winning the Premier League like we did in the past.

“We want to do better and we know that we are in a difficult moment. And I’m not naive. That’s why I’m here coaching, at 40 years old, Manchester United.”

Gordon’s final dream may hang on appeal

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will consider an appeal against the red card that is set to cost Anthony Gordon a Carabao Cup final appearance.

England international Gordon was dismissed for violent conduct seven minutes from the end of normal time in Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Brighton after catching Jan Paul van Hecke in the face as the pair tussled for the ball.

He now faces a three-match ban which will rule him out of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on March 16.

“If we analyse the incident and feel there’s grounds for that, we will do without hesitation,” Howe, who saw goalkeeper Nick Pope miss the 2023 final through suspension, said of a potential appeal.

Girma needs time to adapt

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor is confident world-record signing Naomi Girma will prove her quality in English football following a difficult debut in a 2-2 Women’s Super League draw at Brighton.

The United States defender, who cost a reported £900,000 from San Diego Wave in January, was given a tough afternoon by Seagulls forward Madison Haley before being forced off through injury.

Girma’s debut was delayed due to a calf problem.

“It’s never easy to start with new team-mates, in a new league with different context, it takes time,” said Bompastor, whose side are five points clear at the top.

“She needs to build up and I’m confident she has a lot of quality and will get there.”

Geyse not happy at United

Manchester United’s Brazil forward Geyse has said she finds it “agonising and lonely” staying somewhere she is not happy.

The 26-year-old, who has recently had compassionate leave following the death of her brother, made her first Women’s Super League appearance of 2025 with a late substitute appearance in United’s 2-0 win over Leicester on Sunday.

Geyse, who joined United in the summer of 2023 from Barcelona, has made just nine league appearances this season, six of which have been starts.

“Staying in a place where we don’t feel happy is an agonising and lonely feeling. Every day seems heavier, and the simple fact of being there becomes a burden,” she wrote on Instagram.

“The environment, which should be welcoming, becomes a field of discomfort, where inner peace is difficult to find.

“Sometimes, the desire for change arises as an urgent need, but the fear of the unknown or insecurity about the future can paralyse us.”

United said they were supporting Geyse and “continuing to look for options which suit all parties”.

What’s on today?

The final tie in the FA Cup fifth round is the all-Premier League clash between high-flying Nottingham Forest and relegation-threatened Ipswich, with the winners heading to Brighton away.

Forest have won five of the last seven encounters and despite there being 15 places between them – with Ipswich’s only wins in 2025 coming in the competition – boss Nuno Espirito Santo insists there are no favourites.

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna hopes the cup will provide a welcome relief from their struggles in the Premier League, where they have taken just one point from the last seven matches.

“I think it’s a welcome distraction. A change of narrative around the games,” he said.