Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes (C) and Manchester United German Interim head coach Ralf Rangnick (R) console Manchester United's Swedish striker Anthony Elanga (L) after his penalty miss gave victory to Middlesbrough in the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Manchester United and Middlesbrough at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on February 4, 2022. - Middlesbrough won the tie 8-7 on penalties after the game finished 1-1 at full and extra time. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)
We are all deeply disappointed to be knocked out of the FA Cup,
In a week where United and their fans badly needed a positive, the players can’t find a way to beat Championship side Middlesbrough.
A lot of players are showing themselves up – and, I’m also talking about one or two lads who were not involved tonight – and it’s really poor to see.
For instance, Jesse Lingard would have been a good option from the bench tonight, but he decided to take more time off.
Ralf Rangnick echoed our sentiments after the match when he admitted that he is “incredibly disappointed” after watching his side lose a penalty shoot-out to Boro and go out in the fourt round of the FA Cup.
Despite getting an early spot-kick, missed by Cristiano Ronaldo, and going ahead through Jadon Sancho with 25 minutes on the clock, United squandered a number of chances.
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Boro came back into the game after an equaliser from Matt Crooks, which shouldn’t have stood in the first place.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the match, Rangnick gave a his assessment of the match (via ESPN):
“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.”
He was also asked how Elanga was feeling after missing the decisive penalty.
“Anyone can imagine how he is, he is shattered and absolutely disappointed.”
So its the champions league and fourth place to play for now. Why oh why does united make something that should be relatively straightforward, beating a mediocre championship side look so difficult and then fall at the final fence anyway. What this did show is rthat CR07 needs to move on at the end of the season. He is never going to be the man who once graced the turf at old trafford, a poor recruit in the first instance.
I think a number of players can go to be honest.