Ralf Rangnick fumed over Middlesbrough’s equaliser but admitted that Manchester United only had themselves to blame for a shock FA Cup exit at Old Trafford on Friday night.
Duncan Watmore clearly handballed before setting up Matt Crooks to score in the second half, and VAR ruled that it was accidental.
‘We conceded a goal which I don’t understand why it stood. He controlled it with his hand,’ said a frustrated Rangnick.
Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick (above) fumed over Middlesbrough’s equaliser
Manchester were knocked out of the competition after losing 8-7 on penalties on Friday
‘In the moment when they scored, it was clear that VAR would not allow this goal to stand.’
Boro boss Chris Wilder also admitted that he thought the officials would rule it out.
‘The Premier League is the be all and end all, and the decisions that are made through VAR have changed,’ said Wilder.
‘I thought it was handball and my initial reaction is it would be chalked off – I’m delighted it wasn’t.’
Old Trafford trainee Watmore said the handball was ‘completely accidental’ and former United man Paddy McNair: ‘I was at the other end of the pitch so didn’t see it. Was it handball? We’ll take it!’
Duncan Watmore clearly handballed before setting up Matt Crooks to score in the second half
Boro’s boss Chris Wilder also admitted that he thought that the officials would rule it out
Defeat means United’s only realistic chance of a trophy this season before Rangnick steps down as interim manager is the Champions League.
The German admitted that the game should never have gone to penalties, adding: ‘We should have won and killed off the game in the first half – crossbar, post, missed penalty and numerous chances.
‘Bruno Fernandes’ chance was like a penalty in itself. If he has 10 chances like that in a game he will take nine of them.
Click Here: all stars nrl rugby jersey
‘I was more than pleased with our performance in the first half, but in the cup it’s about winning and proceeding into the next round, and we are extremely disappointed.’
Rangnick offered his sympathy to teenage substitute Anthony Elanga who missed the 16th penalty of the shoot-out to hand Boro victory.
‘Anyone can imagine how he is,’ said Rangnick. ‘He is shattered and absolutely disappointed. It was the eighth (United) penalty which had all been converted.’
Wilder, who masterminded a famous win for Sheffield United at Old Trafford almost exactly a year ago, was able to celebrate in front of almost 10,000 Middlesbrough fans.
Rangnick offered his sympathy to teenage substitute Anthony Elanga who missed the 16th penalty of the shoot-out to hand Boro victory
‘The FA Cup is alive and kicking, isn’t it? Especially in Middlesbrough tonight,’ he said. ‘It’s up the players to make memories and seize their opportunities.
‘Not always the best team wins and we were up against world-class players.
‘You know you’re going to be up against it here. We rode our luck at times but showed plenty of spirit.
‘The goalkeeper saved a couple of my penalties for £20 yesterday morning. The boys practised after the end of training but you can’t replicate being in front of the Stretford End and Dean Henderson.
‘They showed a tremendous of bottle. There were a few doubters on the sidelines when Sol Bamba and Lee Peltier, with a combined age of 110, stepped up but they were really good penalties and we heaped the pressure on them.’