FA Cup: Ralf Rangnick baffled by handball goal after Middlesbrough knock out Manchester United
India Today
Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick was left cursing a change to the handball rule after the 12-time champions suffered a shock fourth round exit on penalties in the FA Cup.
Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick said his team had themselves to blame for their FA Cup fourth-round exit to Middlesbrough while adding that the goal they conceded should not have stood.
United were dumped out of the FA Cup fourth round by Championship side Middlesbrough 8-7 on penalties after wasting a sackful of chances in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Friday.
Rangnick was left puzzled by Boro's 64th-minute equalizer scored by Matt Crooks after the ball had clearly hit Duncan Watmore's arm before he played the ball across goal.
That canceled out Jadon Sancho's 25th-minute effort, although United should have already been out of sight with Cristiano Ronaldo missing a penalty as well as other chances and Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford also culpable.
In a tense penalty shoot-out, the sides could not be separated before Anthony Elanga blazed the 16th kick over the crossbar to send Boro's fans wild.
While Rangnick lamented his side's profligacy, he was understandably miffed by Boro's equaliser.
"How can it be accidental if he controls the ball up in the air with his hand? It was clear it should not stand but in the end I was really surprised it stood," Rangnick said.
