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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Victor

Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes woes put into perspective by damning Man Utd stat

Manchester United are still reeling from their FA Cup elimination, after they failed to get the better of Championship side Middlesbrough over 120 minutes and eight penalty kicks apiece.

United boss Ralf Rangnick named a strong XI for the clash, with Cristiano Ronaldo starting up front as he continues to gun for new records and compatriot Bruno Fernandes in support.

Anthony Elanga missed the decisive spot-kick, with Ronaldo among those to console the youngster after a difficult end to the evening, but Rangnick's side will feel they should have put the game out of sight earlier.

The result leaves the Champions League as the only trophy the Red Devils can realistically win this season, given the huge gap to Premier League leaders Manchester City, and there's one stat in particular which emphasises their wastefulness against Chris Wilder's team on Friday.

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Fernandes and Ronaldo failed to take Man Utd into the FA Cup fifth round (REUTERS)

Ronaldo missed a golden chance to put United ahead in the first half, dragging a penalty wide of Joe Lumley's right-hand post, before Jadon Sancho put the Premier League side in front.

The hosts had complaints about Matt Crooks' equaliser, with claims of handball against Duncan Watmore, but they had plenty of chances to put the game beyond their opponents.

And the scale of their wastefulness has been pointed out by WhoScored, who note that the seven clear-cut goalscoring chances missed by United in the regulation 90 minutes is the most they've missed in a single game since WhoScored began receiving data from Opta in 2009.

United had 30 shots at Old Trafford on Friday, compared to six for Middlesbrough, while WhoScored had United leading nine to three in shots on target.

However, after both teams converted their first seven penalties in the shoot-out and Lee Peltier gave the visitors an advantage, Elanga missed the target with his kick.

Teammate Marcus Rashford urged Elanga to "get that head of yours up immediately" encouraging the teenager to put the disappointment behind him and focus on helping United turn things around over the rest of the season.

Elanga was consoled by teammates after his miss (AFP via Getty Images)

United are now out of both domestic cups, having fallen at the first hurdle in the Carabao Cup back in September, and their hopes of a top-four finish in the Premier League hang in the balance.

Victory over West Ham United in the last league game leaves United fourth, but some of the chasing pack have games in hand.

Rangnick's side are also still in Champions League contention, with Atletico Madrid awaiting in the last 16, but if they're as wasteful against Diego Simeone's side as they were against Boro then they could be in trouble.

Next up for United is a league meeting with Burnley, while the first leg of their Champions League clash looms large on February 23.

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