Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim says he wants to win the FA Cup in his first season at the club.
United go to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon in a tough third-round tie but the former Sporting manager says the history of the trophy makes it important to him and to United.
He said: “I see what everybody sees. It is a really old competition with a lot of history.
“I remember seeing some of the finals, including when we won the Treble in 1999.
Beginning our #FACup defence 🔜#MUFC pic.twitter.com/pt8dHrPWUa
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“We won some cups and we want to continue. At this stage we already have a really strong match we want to win and we want to improve the image and performance.
“We are in a difficult moment. We are improving, we will put out the best team to try to win. I will choose the best team to win. We want to win the cup.”
Amorim confirmed that Altay Bayindir will start in goal and he will play as strong a side as he can.
United are the holders after shocking rivals Manchester City at Wembley last season, and have won the Cup on 13 occasions – one fewer than Arsenal.
Amorim would not be drawn on the immediate future of Marcus Rashford, who is reportedly keen to leave Old Trafford, but says he wants to continue the club’s tradition of bringing through players from the academy.
He said: “We need to improve recruitment, so that when we are targeting players we are sure they can cope with the demands.
“Also, we have to improve our academy. Young kids that feel the club in the right way and do some business to have money to invest in the team.
“Our idea is always to keep the best players and to build for this club, but I am really happy and like our players, especially the guys from the academy.”
United last met Arsenal in the cup in 2019, with Jesse Lingard on target in a 3-1 win at the Emirates.
