Head coach Ruben Amorim believes "the real Manchester United" was on show against both Liverpool and Arsenal, urging his players to maintain their recent standards ahead of Thursday's clash with Southampton at Old Trafford.

Fresh from their 2-2 draw at Anfield that halted a run of four successive defeats, United progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, setting up a tie with Leicester City at Old Trafford next month.

United produced a brilliant level of commitment and determination to take the game all the way to penalties after having Diogo Dalot sent-off after 61 minutes. United were leading 1-0 at the time of his dismissal.

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However, they dug deep and found a way to get the job done, inspired by some heroic defending and goalkeeping. And it is that level of passion and determination that Amorim wants to see become a regular staple within his team.

Amorim, penning his programme notes ahead of the clash with the Saints, said: "Over the last two matches, I have seen much more of what I expect from my team. Our football still has to improve and there is a long way to go before we are playing the way this group is truly capable of playing but, in terms of fight, heart and hunger, we have seen the real Manchester United in the last two matches.

"We had no choice but to stop the run of results we were experiencing, and in order to do that - as I said before our trips to both Liverpool and Arsenal - we had to show bravery and aggression all over the field, and every player involved did exactly that.

"Last weekend, the lads had to play an hour at Arsenal with a player less, yet they stuck together, fought for each other and their club, and ultimately got the outcome that they all deserved."

Having earned a point against Liverpool at Anfield and dumped Arsenal out of the FA Cup in their own backyard, United will be under pressure to beat the bottom-of-the-table Saints, and Amorim knows his players cannot afford to take their eye off the ball.

"In the past month, we have been to the Etihad Stadium, Anfield and the Emirates Stadium - three of the toughest places to play in the country - and taken positives outcomes from each one," added the United boss. "To do that requires quality and character, but the job now is to show that in every single game, regardless of the opposition."