Ruben Amorim felt Manchester United controlled their EFL Cup semi-final at Tottenham despite losing 4-3, but insisted that even silverware would not fix the issues at the club.
United were 3-0 down at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before capitalising on two Fraser Forster errors to make their hosts nervous.
Amorim was pleased with his players' response and believes he will learn plenty from the contest, but stressed his side have a lot of improving to do.
He told Sky Sports: "We disconnected at the beginning of the second half, that was difficult.
"If you look at all of the game we were the best team but they were more clinical. We lost but the fight from the lads was really important for me.
"We have to take a night to think and then tomorrow we will have a lot of good things from this game.
"We cannot think in that way that winning silverware makes everything okay. It will be a long way, we are improving. Our goal is to win the Premier League. How long it will take I don't know."
We exit the #CarabaoCup.#MUFC
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Marcus Rashford was left out of the matchday squad for the second consecutive game in a week when he claimed he was ready for a "new challenge" away from the club.
Amorim believes Rashford could have a future at United, though, and expects him to be in contention for Sunday's Premier League game against Bournemouth.
He said: "Tomorrow we have training, he will be there preparing for the next game.
"He is a United player. Everyone has a future at Manchester United."