History repeated itself as Manchester United crashed out of the FA Cup fourth round after a penalty shootout against Middlesbrough. Seven years earlier, Boro had eliminated the Red Devils out of the League Cup fourth round on spot-kicks as well.
The prospect of another trophy-barren season looms large at Old Trafford. On Friday night, United crashed out of the second domestic cup competition after losing in a penalty shootout against Championship side Middlesbrough (1-1 AET, 7-8 pen).
The Red Devils took the lead through Jadon Sancho but were led down by wastefulness in front of goal, eventually allowing Boro to come back into the game – and take it to the penalties.
Miscommunication between Boro centre-back Dael Fry and goalkeeper Joe Lumley presented the game’s first big opportunity to Sancho – in the second minute itself – but the forward’s lob bounced off the bar before Bruno Fernandes lashed at the rebound, sending it into the stands.
Nineteen minutes in, Anfernee Dijksteel tripped inside his box, taking Paul Pogba down with him and presenting Manchester United a chance to go ahead from the penalty spot. Cristiano Ronaldo took the spot-kick and, uncharacteristically, sent it wide of the post.
Sancho put United in front in the 25th minute. The Englishman raced behind the Boro backline to collect a long ball from Fernandes, which he brought under his control before beating his defender and slotting it in the far corner.
Marcus Rashford could have propelled United two ahead in the 54th minute, but the forward put too much power behind his shot, too close to the goal. Boro grew into the game, with Matt Crooks forcing Dean Henderson into making a save three minutes later.
Crooks, in the 64th minute, would score the equalizing goal from a Duncan Watmore cross – which VAR allowed to stand despite the ball bouncing off Watmore’s hand in the build-up.
Manchester United went in search of the winning goal, and Lumley made a sharp save to deny Rashford in the 71st minute. Moments later, the custodian gave the ball away to Fernandes in a dangerous position, but the attacker missed an open net – much to the surprise of the Old Trafford faithful and his manager, down by the touchline.
Extra-time ensued, and Lumley saved from Fernandes while Henderson denied Aaron Connolly. Penalties followed, and after fourteen successful kicks, Anthony Elanga blazed one over the bar, handing Boro the win and pushing Ralf Rangnick’s men out of the cup.
