(REUTERS)
Manchester United are taking on Middlesbrough tonight as they meet in the FA Cup fourth round. The two clubs have not come up against one another since 2017, with Boro sitting seventh in the Championship and looking to climb back into the Premier League.
Ralf Rangnick’s side had a reasonably quiet January transfer window, with no major incomings as first-team players Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial departed on loan, although Paul Pogba is back to fitness after a lengthy period out injured.
Boro manager Chris Wilder won on his last visit to Old Trafford while in charge of Sheffield United, and will hope talented Slovenian Andraz Sporar can continue his impressive season when they visit tonight. After United’s scratchy third round win against Aston Villa, Middlesbrough will be looking to pounce and cause a cup surprise. Middlesbrough were below their best last time out against Coventry but ground out a 1-0 win.
Follow all the latest updates below.
Manchester United knocked out of FA Cup by Middlesbrough after Anthony Elanga misses penalty in shoot-out
Manchester United are out of the FA Cup. Ralf Rangnick might argue that they should not be, both on the balance of play and the nature of the goal they conceded, but the only hope of silverware at Old Trafford this season is now the Champions League trophy and it would be a stretch to call that realistic. Middlesbrough are instead celebrating a famous victory and a place in the fifth round, won by a penalty shoot-out.
After fifteen perfect spot-kicks, it was cruel that the decisive miss was Anthony Elanga’s, the teenager recently promoted to the first team by Rangnick and who has otherwise impressed. The blame for this early cup exit cannot be placed at his door, though. This was a collective failure.
Michael Jones4 February 2022 23:12
Reaction from Middlesbrough’s Paddy McNair
Former Manchester United defender Paddy McNair spoke to ITV after helping Middlesbrough defeat his old club in a penalty shootout, McNair said:
It was unbelievable. We started the first half really slow but we deserved the win overall. They weren’t taking their chances and that gave us a lift.
“We are on very good form. We rode our luck at times. I had seven very good years here.”
Michael Jones4 February 2022 23:09
Middlesbrough knock Manchester United out of FA Cup after penalty shootout
Job done for Chris Wilder.
(AFP via Getty Images)
Michael Jones4 February 2022 23:04
Middlesbrough knock Manchester United out of FA Cup after penalty shootout
Chris Wilder and the Middlesbrough team are celebrating on the pitch with the 10,000 travelling fans down from the North East. Man Utd’s players have quickly disappeared down the tunnel.
Middlesbrough are the first team through to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Michael Jones4 February 2022 23:00
Middlesbrough knock Manchester United out of FA Cup after penalty shootout!
What a result for Chris Wilder’s men! They fought back from a goal down, scored an equaliser then weathered a storm from Manchester United to take them to a penalty shootout.
In the shootout all eight of their penalty takers scored and a missed attempt from Anthony Elanga has sent them into the fifth round.
Michael Jones4 February 2022 22:58
Penalties: Man Utd 7 – 8 Middlesbrough
Anthony Elanga misses! His penalty is blasted over the crossbar!
Middlesbrough win the game, Manchester United are out of the FA Cup!
Michael Jones4 February 2022 22:54
Penalties: Man Utd 7 – 8 Middlesbrough
Lee Peltier hits the underside of the roof, he couldn’t have placed that any better!
Michael Jones4 February 2022 22:53
Penalties: Man Utd 7 – 7 Middlesbrough
Diogo Dalot keeps Manchester United in the FA Cup!
Michael Jones4 February 2022 22:52
Penalties: Man Utd 6 – 7 Middlesbrough
Dael Fry pumps it into the back of the net. What a shootout this is.
Michael Jones4 February 2022 22:51
Penalties: Man Utd 6 – 6 Middlesbrough
Nearly! Lumley guesses correctly and gets a hand to the ball but it sneaks under him and brings United level again.
Michael Jones4 February 2022 22:50
