Middlesbrough shocked Manchester United

One of the biggest favourites in the battle for The Capital One Cup – Manchester United was eliminated in the 1/8-final stage of the competition, after a shocking loss 1: 3 (on penalties) to Middlesbrough at Old Trafford. Both teams failed to score in the regular time, as the guests were more active. A Daley Blind’s own goal was disallowed due to Quique’s offside and Jesse Lingard shot hit the post. At the extra time, both teams missed opportunities and when the game went on penalties, the most experienced in the selection of Louis van Gaal – Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young missed and eventually Middlesbrough triumphed 3-1.

Surprisingly, the guests who were supported by 10,000 supporters at Old Trafford, missed the first goal chance, which opened in the 16th minute. United’s defence failed to clear after a corner kick and the ball was back in the box where Emilio Nsue tried a bicycle shot and passed to George Friend who missed from a close distance.

41 minutes into the match, United managed to create their first clear goal-scoring chance. Fellaini controlled the ball well and shot with his right foot from inside the box, but Friend blocked in the decisive moment. Immediately after that, Romero had to save his team for the second time, punching a great Stuart Downing’s shot.

At the beginning of the second half, Depay shoot from a big distance and Middlesbrough’s goalkeeper Mejias dropped the ball for a moment, but then he managed to catch it before the line. Five minutes after that, the ball was in the Romero’s net. Quique fired, the ball bounced off the post, then Blind in a very comical way put it in the net. But the goal was annulled because of offside. In the 66th minute United’s defence went to new ridiculous situation. Blind passed back to Romero, who clumsily missed the ball and only the luck saved his sheet clean.

In the final minutes, both teams missed several chances for goal. Lingard’s first shot hit the post. Then Leadbitter and Downing created two great opportunities for Middlesbrough, but Romero was at the right place to save his team.

In the last minute of the extra time, Martial and Fellaini missed two great opportunities to score in Borough’s net, but their header shots went so close, both not accurate. This led to the shootout.

Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Ashley Young missed for the hosts. The only United’s player, who scored from the penalty spot was the youngster Andreas Pereira. For Middlesbrough, Leadbitter, Downing and Gibson were accurate. David Nugent only missed the target, but that was not fatal for the guests, who continue to the quarter finals where they will play against Everton.

Manchester United: Romero; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Rojo (61′ – Young); Carrick, Fellaini, Pereira, Lingard, Wilson (46′ – Rooney); Depay (71′ – Martial).

Middlesbrough: Mejias; Kalas, Ayala, Gibson, Stephens (114′ – Clayton); Friend, Downing, Leadbitter, Nsue, De Pena (79′ – Zuculini); Kike (84′ – Nugent).