FA Cup: Shock as Manchester United crash out against Middlesbrough
United's inability to add to a lead secured by Jadon Sancho was equally damaging
Manchester United have suffered a shock exit from the FA Cup after they lost on penalties after a contentious 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough in the fourth round at Old Trafford.
Anthony Elanga blazed over to send Boro through 8-7 following United's seventh spot-kick defeat in eight contests, although they would no doubt argue the tie should not have advanced to that stage.
Ralf Rangnick might point to generous officiating from Anthony Taylor that did not punish Duncan Watmore's handball in the build-up to Matt Crooks' second-half equaliser for Boro.
But United's inability to add to a lead secured by Jadon Sancho was equally damaging, their 30 shots worth a combined 4.32 expected goals – an early Cristiano Ronaldo penalty among the misses as the Red Devils crashed out.
◉ 2015: Middlesbrough knock Man Utd out of the League Cup on penalties
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 4, 2022
◉ 2022: Middlesbrough knock Man Utd out of the FA Cup on penalties
It’s happened again. ???? pic.twitter.com/gMLRi9oaP8
By the time Sancho made the most of Boro's latest piece of haphazard defending to break the deadlock with a deflected shot across Joe Lumley, United could have been two or three up.
Sancho clipped a delicate attempt onto the crossbar after Lumley spilled a long ball, then Anfernee Dijksteel clumsily brought down Paul Pogba in the box, only for Ronaldo to drag his spot-kick wide. Bruno Fernandes volleyed wildly over when played onside, too.
Chances continued to come and go after the 25th-minute opener, with Marcus Rashford letting Boro off the hook again early in the second half.
Cristiano Ronaldo (10), Marcus Rashford (6) and Bruno Fernandes (6) had 22 shots between them against Middlesbrough.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 4, 2022
Zero goals. ????#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/nhaSPYDK5l
And that profligacy came back to bite United in bizarre circumstances when Watmore blatantly controlled Isaiah Jones' cross with his hand but directed a lob across the face of goal, allowing Crooks to steal in and net a leveller that the VAR did not overturn.
Fernandes pulled a straightforward finish against the foot of the post soon afterwards, failing to prevent an extra time period in which Dean Henderson was required to make a close-range stop from Aaron Connolly to reach the shoot-out.
Each of the first 15 kicks were scored, before Elanga finally failed, stunning the home support.
