Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim said his side were the better team in Thursday's 4-3 loss to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, but said the home team's performance fell short of that.
United trailed 3-0 shortly after the end of the first half, but scored twice within seven minutes to breathe life into the game and keep up the pressure even after Son Heung-min scored the fourth goal for the hosts.
Jonny Evans' late header threatened to force extra time but Tottenham held on to win progress to the semi-finals.
“We (were separated) at the start of the second half, it was a tough moment for us, like 10 minutes. And then we (came back), I think we did a great job,” Amorim told Sky Sports.
“I think if you look at the whole game, I think we were the better team but they were more clinical. We (lost) the game but the fight of the players was very important for me.
“In general, it was a good match but there was no taste in it. We did not win, we have to focus on the next match.”
Amorim, who took over from Eric Ten Hag last November, said that United, ranked 13th, still has a long way to go before it can compete for the English Premier League title.
“We are improving as a team… Our goal is to win the Premier League. How long will it take? I don’t know, but that is our goal,” he added.
United host sixth-placed Bournemouth on Sunday.
