(Football news) Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup after losing 7-8 in the penalty shootouts against championship side Middlesbrough. Both sides managed to convert 15 successive penalties before Anthony Elanga blasted his effort over the bar, leading to wild celebrations amongst the 9,000 Middlesbrough supporters as their side caused an upset at Old Trafford. 

Ralf Rangnick’s side dominated proceedings for long periods of the match, having 30 shots on target compared to six by Middlesbrough. However, the Red Devils were wasteful in capitalising on their chances as Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty in the 20th minute went wide after Paul Pogba was fouled in the box. However, the hosts took the lead shortly after as Bruno Fernandes’ long ball found Jadon Sancho and the 21 year old scored via a deflection in the 25th minute.

However, Middlesbrough’s equaliser came after some controversial circumstances as substitute Duncan Watmore miscontrolled a pass by Isaiah Jones, which led the ball to bounce on his hand after which Watmore crossed it to Matt Crooks who converted from close range in the 64th minute. Despite furious protests from the Manchester United players, VAR allowed the goal to stand due to the revised changes in the handball rules brought in during the summer. According to the changes, a player can no longer be penalised for an accidental handball preceding a goal unless that same player scores the goal himself.

Despite Middlesbrough’s goal being given, it’s clear that Manchester United should have been more clinical in front of goal. Sancho hit the crossbar while Ronaldo failed to find the back of the net in the 9 shots he had on goal over the course of 120 minutes. Marcus Rashford was wasteful in front of goal too, the 24 year old couldn’t make use of the chances made by Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba and volleyed over from Sancho’s cross in the second half. 

Bruno Fernandes also hit the post in the 72nd minute and missed an opportunity earlier in the match by blazing his shot over the bar from Diogo Dalot’s cross. Anthony Elanga headed the ball straight at Lumley in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes and the hosts soon lost their spark after beginning the match on a positive note. Middlesbrough meanwhile grew into the match as it went on and almost clinched a winner when substitute Aaron Connolly was denied by Man Utd goalkeeper Dean Henderson in the second half of extra time. 

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It was definitely a night that Ralf Rangnick and his players would like to forget as Middlesbrough recorded a famous victory at Old Trafford, their first against Manchester United since 2005 to progress into the fifth round of the FA Cup. The result also means that it’s likely Manchester United will remain trophyless for the fifth season in a row as the FA Cup remained their only realistic opportunity for silverware this season. They will now shift their attention to the Premier League and hope to finish in the top 4 by the end of the season to ensure qualification for the Champions League.

Speaking after the match, Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick said "Incredibly disappointed. We should have won and killed off the game in the first half. 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 at that moment, too open and allowed them the counter, we should have won the game. Anthony Elanga, anyone can imagine how he is, he is shattered and absolutely disappointed. It was the eighth penalty which had all converted."