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Manchester United have been knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Middlesbrough. The Red Devils opened the scoring in the 25th minute of the game with Jadon Sancho finding the back of the net at the end of a slick and swift attacking move.
Lack of clinical finishing cost Manchester United dearly
Manchester United then had a plethora of chances to put the game to bed but their forwards kept missing chance after chance to allow Middlesbrough back into the game. Chris Wilder's men got their equalizer in slightly controversial circumstances.
But they managed to hold on until the end of 120 minutes to take the game to penalties. Boro won the game 8-7 in the shootout after Anthony Elanga sent his penalty into the stands. It looks like 2021-22 will be yet another season without silverware for the Old Trafford outfit.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five Manchester United players who underperformed against Middlesbrough.
#5 Dean Henderson
Dean Henderson made two good stops in normal time. He flew to his left to flick a Matt Crooks shot over the bar early in the second half. Henderson produced a good reaction save from an Aaron Connolly shot in extra time as well.
However, he looked clueless in the penalty shootout. Henderson dived a bit too early for most of the penalties and made it easier for the Middlesbrough players. Of the eight penalties that Wilder's men took, Henderson only guessed the direction of one and failed to save that as well.
After the Europa League final against Villarreal last season, a section of the United fanbase claimed that if Henderson was in goal instead of David de Gea, they'd have won the shootout. But the Englishman looked out of his depth last night in the shootout against a Championship side.
#4 Diogo Dalot
Did Diogo Dalot have a bad game? Not really. But it was a contest where the Portuguese right-back could have truly shown off his attacking abilities. He had very little defending to do and yet Dalot was missing from the scene altogether as Middlesbrough scored the equalizer.
While his link-up play in and around the final third was decent, his final ball was severely lacking in quality once again. Dalot has been brought in to whip in crosses from the right-flank that Aaron Wan-Bissaka has proven to be poor at doing.
There wasn't much of that on offer against Middlesbrough. While he has shown that he can gel well with his teammates and can play some key passes when foraying forward, his final product has to improve.
#3 Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire didn't have an all-round poor game either. He was proactive about snuffing out the danger on multiple occasions. The Manchester United captain hardly ever found himself under pressure from the Middlesbrough attackers.
In fact, he won 11 duels, made five interceptions and two clearances. However, Maguire had his tail tucked between his feet after the Middlesbrough goal went in.
The Englishman was caught up appealing for a handball on Duncan Watmore when he should have tried to clear the danger. He has been far too erratic this season and even though he has admirable qualities, Maguire doesn't do himself any favors by switching off at crucial junctures.
#2 Marcus Rashford
It was one of those nights for Marcus Rashford and the worrying thing for Manchester United is that he has had far too many of them of late. Just when you think Rashford is going to hit his stride, he drops a disappointing performance and the cycle repeats.
Rashford was guilty of missing two gilt-edged chances last night against Middlesbrough. He got into good areas but his final product was awful yet again. Rashford had a goal chalked off for offside in the first half but had enough opportunities to correct his course and get on the scoresheet.
If Rashford is to become the footballer everyone has tipped him to be, he needs to be way more clinical in front of goal. For now, he continues to be unreliable when it comes to making the most of the chances afforded to him.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
The outings that Cristiano Ronaldo has had for Manchester United in his second stint so far could be divided into two categories. One is the kind where he produces rescue acts and is forgiven for the rest of his misgivings.
The other is the kind that makes everyone wonder why Manchester United felt the need to sign him last summer. The performance against Middlesbrough belongs to the latter category. The Portuguese international stood out like a sore thumb in the United attack last night.
He slowed proceedings down by being too eager to be involved with link-up play. Ronaldo missed a penalty in the 18th minute of the game. He didn't even hit the target. The Portuguese international had 10 shots in the game.
He never looked like scoring and his touches were wayward and greatly hampered United's attacking flow.
