JAKARTA - The fourth round of the 2021/2022 FA Cup which will be held on Saturday, February 5 in the early hours of West Indonesia Time, presents the match between Manchester United (MU) against Championship team, Middlesbrough. Appearing at their own headquarters, MU actually lost through a penalty shootout.
The 7-8 defeat in the penalty shootout automatically made MU out of the FA Cup. Ralf Rangnick as the coach admitted that he was disappointed and confused by the many opportunities that his team failed to take advantage of.
“Very disappointed, we should have won and 'turned off' this game in the first half. The goalposts, missed penalties and a lot of chances that just went by," Rangnick told BBC Sport.
In that match, MU actually had the opportunity to take the lead two goals first. Because, five minutes before Jadon Sancho's opening goal, the Red Devils were awarded a penalty.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo as the executor of the golden moment actually failed to carry out his duties properly. Ronaldo's shot just deviated slightly at the left post of the goal.
Pursuing MU advantage, Middlesbrough successfully broke the deadlock in the 64th minute through Duncan Watmore's goal. Before scoring that goal, Watmore was actually considered to have done handball first, but after the referee reviewed via VAR the decision declared that one goal belonged to the visitors.
Rangnick says United could actually be two or three goals ahead this game. But after seeing the referee's decision after the Middlesbrough goal he was even more confused.
"We should have won 2-0 or 3-0. We conceded a goal which I don't understand. why it was passed. He (Watmore) controlled it with his hands, "commented Rangnick.
"By the time they scored it was clear that VAR would not allow this goal to be authorized. We weren't in a good position ourselves at the time, too open and letting them counter-attack, we should have won this game."
Defeat in this match makes Manchester United threatened without a title this season. Because, before the FA Cup, the Red Devils had already been eliminated from the English League Cup.
MU actually still has a chance through their appearances in the Champions League and English League. But if you look at their performance this season, the remaining two titles are very difficult to achieve.
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