Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has revealed Anthony Elanga was left ‘shattered and absolutely disappointed’ after the penalty miss against Middlesbrough.
United were bundled out of the FA Cup by Middlesbrough on penalties with Elanga missing the final penalty kick. The Red Devils could have taken the lead in the 25th minute but Cristiano Ronaldo failed to convert from the spot. However, five minutes later Jadon Sancho scored the opener for the hosts before Matt Crooks levelled the scores in the second half.
The match had to be decided on penalties with United falling to an 8-7 defeat. Elanga missed the final kick from 12 yards.
“Anthony Elanga, anyone can imagine how he is, he is shattered and absolutely disappointed,” Rangnick told ITV.
“It was the eighth penalty which had all converted. We will try to encourage him again, be there for him and it can happen to more experienced players.”
“We could not have had more players to take it, there was Luke Shaw, Phil Jones and the goalkeeper.”
On Middlesbrough’s equalizer
“How can it be accidental if he controls the ball up in the air with his hand?” Rangnick said.
“It was clear it should not stand but in the end I was really surprised it stood. In the first half we should have easily been 3-0 up and second half we had chances too. We should have won the game in normal time. On penalties it can happen what happened today.”
The Red Devils will now put their focus on the Premier League as they travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley next week on Tuesday.
