Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga missed the vital penalty as the Red Devils crashed out of the FA Cup to Championship facet Middlesbrough.
The Red Devils had a number of probabilities within the first half of and early within the second, however did not control to locate the net extra than once. That permit Chris Wilder’s group returned in and they took United to consequences earlier than recording a memorable shootout victory at Old Trafford.
United were lower back in motion following the Premier League’s winter destroy. Ralf Rangnick named a strong crew which blanketed the returning Paul Pogba, who were given his first start due to the fact early November following a thigh injury.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho have been additionally selected, at the same time as Dean Henderson were given a rare look in purpose.
Boro, meanwhile, had former United player Paddy McNair as part of a returned-three. Young striker Folarin Balogun, on loan from Arsenal, made his first begin for the Championship outfit.
Boro goalkeeper Joe Lumley regarded nervous from the outset and the Red Devils almost capitalised. Following a conflict with Dael Fry, the ball fell to Sancho and he went for an audacious chip. The England winger changed into unlucky to peer it come backpedal the crossbar.
Sancho was involved in any other risk for the house facet moments later. He performed in Luke Shaw down the left flank, and the whole-again did well to dig out a pass for Ronaldo. The Portuguese celeb rose to fulfill it with an overhead kick however couldn't beat the keeper.
Pogba received the ball inside the container with 19 minutes gone and grew to become on it sharply, drawing a nasty from opponent Anfernee Dijksteel. The referee had no preference however to factor to the spot, gifting Ronaldo the hazard to open the scoring from 12 yards out.
Surprisingly, the attacker dragged his penalty huge, giving Boro and Dijksteel a reprieve.
Fernandes’ have an impact on on the sport turned into handiest growing and he were given in in the back of the defence soon afterwards, after being saved onside by using a dislodged backline. But the attacking midfielder lacked composure and blasted his first-time volley over the bar.
