Izuchukwu Okosi
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Manchester United were dealt an embarrassing early exit from the FA Cup after losing to second-tier side Middlesbrough in a penalty shootout at Old Trafford late Friday night.
The Riverside outfit defeated the Red Devils 8-7 on penalties to advance to the fifth round of the competition after the proceedings ended in extra time with both sides playing out a 1-1 draw.
Jadon Sancho had opened the scoring for Ralf Rangnick’s star-studded side, but lifelong United fan Matt Crooks levelled for Chris Wilder’s side.
Every penalty found the net until United’s Anthony Elanga missed his at the Stretford End, wrapping up an 8-7 spot-kick success for Boro and sending its 9,500 visiting fans wild.
“We are Incredibly disappointed, we should have won and killed off the game in the first half,” United manager Rangnick told the media post match.
“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,” the Technical Director-to be at the club concluded.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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