Manchester United fell in the fourth round of the FA Cup against Middlesbrough in a 7-8 penalty shootout, after tying 1-1 in regulation time and in the two extra periods.

Havana, February 5 (RHC)-- Manchester United fell in the fourth round of the FA Cup against Middlesbrough in a 7-8 penalty shootout, after tying 1-1 in regulation time and in the two extra periods.

German coach Ralf Rangick's side took the lead in the 25th minute of the first half when England winger Jadon Sancho scored from a pass by Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes, after star striker Cristiano Ronaldo had missed a spot-kick in the 20th minute.

Middlesbrough assumed their role as weak opponents and tried to take the duel to physical channels in midfield, seeking to counterattack the Old Trafford giants, and in the 64th minute Matty Crocks managed to score the equalizer, which prevailed for the rest of the match.

After 90 minutes of regulation time, two extra time periods of 15 minutes were insufficient for one of the two teams to score the decisive goal and so the lottery of penalties arrived.

In the penalty shootout, a total of seven players from each side were able to score, until young striker Anthony Elanga missed his, thus decreeing an immediate victory for Middlesbrough, which thus kept alive its aspirations in the competition in which it has only once reached the final.