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Photo: Cristiano Ronaldo consoles Anthony Elanga after penalty miss

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Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Elanga missed crucial penalties as Manchester United went out of the FA Cup at the hands of Middlesbrough.

Ronaldo blazed his spot-kick wide in the first half when the score was 0-0 and that lack of ruthlessness came back to haunt United.

Elanga missed the 16th kick of the penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, after a promising period of time having broken into the United first team.

Ralf Rangnick and Bruno Fernandes were pictured consoling Elanga after the crucial moment and he will need the team to rally around him now.

Manchester United v Middlesbrough: The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Ronaldo also also photographed offering the benefit of his wisdom to the young Swedish attacker on a disappointing night for United.

Elanga was United’s eighth penalty taker on the night and by that point, it is down to players who did not initially volunteer themselves.

FBL-ENG-FACUP-MAN UTD-MIDDLESBROUGH
Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images
Manchester United v Middlesbrough: The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Manchester United v Middlesbrough: The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round
Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images

Ronaldo does not often miss penalties but he did tonight and it cost United dear.

He is the master of coming back from setbacks and mental strength is one of his best qualities so there is no doubt he will recover.

One of the arguments for bringing him back in was that he can help the younger players and Elanga will surely benefit from his experience and having him in his corner.