Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick furious with VAR after shocking 1(7)-(8)1 defeat to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup

Manchester United suffered a shock defeat against Middlesbrough in the 4th round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford. The Red Devils were the clear favourites to win the game but it was not meant to be for Rangnick’s team as they exited the FA Cup in bizarre fashion.

Ralf Rangnick had set out a strong starting 11 for the tie with Paul Pogba back in the lineup after nearly 3 months out injured. Manchester United started the game strong and could have scored a minimum of 4 goals in the first half. Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty and Bruno Fernandes missed a sitter in the first 20 mins of the game.

However, Jadon Sancho opened the scoring for the Red Devils. Middlesbrough were much better in the second half as they defended better. They eventually caught Manchester United off-guard and scored a controversial goal to equalize. Everyone including the commentators thought that the goal would be disallowed due to handball but it was not the case.

The match was then taken to extra time and after neither team scored in those 30 minutes, it was all down to penalties. Manchester United’s regular penalty takers scored from the spot but 19 year old Anthony Elanga missed the crucial penalty and ensured the Red Devils’ exit from the FA Cup.

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Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick after the game against Middlesbrough:

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick was not a happy man after his team suffered a shock defeat against Championship side Middlesbrough on penalties. The German boss was furious with VAR’s decision to award Middlesbrough a controversial goal.

Ralf Rangnick said,” How can it be accidental handball 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. We are really disappointed. The players, the staff, everybody. We should have killed the game off in the first half. We could easily have been up 3-0 or 4-0.”

The German added,” We started really well and played extremely well in the whole first half. Our movement and tempo of the game were exactly what we intended to do. But it was only 1-0 and a goal like this can always happen, although it shouldn’t have happened, from our perspective, because we didn’t defend well.”

“In the end, the goal should never have been given. It is incredible that it stood. It was a clear handball. I would not have needed VAR, it should have been seen by the referee himself but the VAR should not have given the goal. As far as I know, the referee and the VAR decided that it was not intentional, it was coincidental,” said Rangnick.

Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder also admitted that the goal shouldn’t have stood. Wilder said,” The decisions that are made through VAR have changed since I left the Premier League. I thought straight away it was handball. I thought it would be chalked out and delighted it wasn’t.”

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