Leeds United rejoiced on Friday evening as arch-rivals Manchester United's season took another turn for the worse with a premature exit from the FA Cup.
The Red Devils were eliminated by Championship side Middlesbrough, who took the Premier League giants to extra-time and penalty kicks, having drawn 1-1 in regulation time.
Cristiano Ronaldo missed a spot-kick during the first half, while Bruno Fernandes hit the woodwork instead of the target when posed with an open goal.
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There were opportunities for Manchester United to kill the game and see off their lower-league opposition, but a strong starting line-up named by interim boss Ralf Rangnick could not muster a second goal.
During the ensuing shootout, both sides maintained a 100% record until young attacker Anthony Elanga stepped up and skied his penalty over the crossbar, deep into the Old Trafford terraces.
Prior to Elanga's fateful kick, former Leeds United trio Jonny Howson, Sol Bamba and Lee Peltier had all stepped forward for the Teessiders and scored.
Peltier's penalty in particular was struck with real venom, finding the roof of the net, while Bamba's low, powerful effort was struck nonchalantly beyond former Sheffield United and current Man United stopper Dean Henderson.
Broadcast on free-to-air television, millions tuned in across the United Kingdom to witness Manchester United knocked out on their own patch, by a team consisting of former Leeds players, currently in the division below.
Fittingly, all three former Whites men were among the penalty-takers Chris Wilder had selected, including Bamba whose return to professional football came with Boro after successfully beating a cancer diagnosis.
The message to those watching and teams who are set to face Manchester United later this month was that they are beatable, as Middlesbrough proved with their 8-7 shootout triumph.
Leeds host the Red Devils at home on February 20. It will be the first time a sold-out Elland Road has hosted the Whites' fiercest rivals since the club's promotion back to the top flight almost two years ago.
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