Middlesbrough knock Manchester United out of FA Cup on penalties

[ornotna]

On a night when Old Trafford’s concourse caterers went down, Manchester United made an undeniable hash of what had appeared an easy cruise to victory over Middlesbrough. They were knocked out 8-7 on penalties and so unless Ralf Rangnick’s half-cocked side somehow win the Champions League, United’s trophy drought will stretch to six years, at least.

If the unfortunate Anthony Elanga missed the vital spot-kick in front of the Stretford End – the 19-year-old was devastated – this, really, was a defeat born from United seriously losing the plot in the second half.

Matt Crooks’s 64th-minute strike that leveled out Jadon Sancho’s opener was controversial as it came courtesy of a Duncan Watmore handball ruled accidental and thus legal. But United’s serial missing of chances – including a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty – and failure to control their foe were to blame for the reverse.

With all the stars in this club, it's mind boggling.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/feb/04/manchester-united-middlesbrough-fa-cup-match-report

[Crowman2009]

1. I love those giant killer wins!

The FA Cup is famous for that.

[rso]

2. MU

I wonder why Cavani was not in the MU lineup.

[ornotna]

3. I think

He was still off from world cup qualifiers For Uruguay.

[rso]

4. Cavani

Uruguay played on Tuesday, I guess he didn’t get back in time.

[bluecollar2]

5. United are a shambles and it's time for a reality check

The current owners are milking the brand for all it's worth and saddling the club with billions in debt.

That works if you're winning but Sir Alex is gone and today's squad doesn't have the same mystique as the team of the nineties.

Liverpool went through this phase with American owners. Damn near put them into bankruptcy but fortunately Fenway Sports Group stepped in and has turned the club around.

I love the FA cup. It's a shame it's not televised more often here in the states.