Boro shock United on penalties in the FA Cup fourth round

 

Middlesbrough beat Manchester United 8-7 on penalties on Friday night to advance in the FA Cup. (Photo credit: @FA)

Manchester United crashed out of the Emirates FA Cup on Friday night in a shock development against a Championship side and you wonder how they must be feeling as that represented the only realistic trophy opportunity.

The Red Devils hosted Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the FA Cup and didn’t take anything for granted, Ralph Rangnick fielded his strongest possible side with the return of Paul Pogba and a starting berth for Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw.

Middlesbrough in the Championship are pushing for a playoff place with the hope of achieving promotion back to the Premier League, and what better way can they enhance this than by going toe-to-toe with a giant like Manchester United?

Manchester United wasted chances after chances on Friday night and when they see them again on the big screen, they won’t be able to blame anyone for their disgraceful outing, but the entire men that took to the pitch.

Bruno Fernandes missed an open goal and just 20minutes into the encounter, Cristiano Ronaldo blazed over from the penalty spot after the center referee awarded United a penalty, United took the lead shortly after through Jadon Sancho after a brilliant over the top pass.

Middlesbrough levelled the score in the 64th minute when Matt Crooks slid in at the far post and redirected a looping ball from Duncan Watmore into the back of the Man United net to make it 1-1 and silenced the Old Trafford crowd.

The game went into thirty minutes extra time in which neither side could break the deadlock, the Championship side managed the game well and snuff life out of United’s winds, in a quick flash the game went into penalties.

It was a huge show of penalty prowess as fourteen players found the back of the net cleanly before Manchester United’s young devil, Anthony Elanga fired wide, the visitors converted and they wheeled away in celebration.

"Incredibly disappointed, we should have won and killed off the game in the first half," Rangnick said after the match. "Crossbar, post, missed penalty and numerous chances. It should have been 2-0 or 3-0.

"We conceded a goal which I don't understand why it stood. He controlled it with his hand. In the moment when they scored, it was clear that VAR would not allow this goal to stand. We were not well positioned in that moment, too open and allowed them the counter, we should have won the game."