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Manchester United vs Middlesbrough. Carabao Cup Fourth Round.

Old Trafford.

Middlesbrough win 3-1 on penalties.

Man Utd 0-0 Middlesbrough (1-3 after penalties): Louis van Gaal's side eliminated in shoot-out

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Highlights of the Capital One Cup fourth round game between Manchester Utd and Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough booked their place in the Capital One Cup quarter-finals with a famous penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

After a goalless 120 minutes, Boro keeper Tomas Mejias saved penalties from Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young either side of Michael Carrick's miss before Ben Gibson scored to clinch a 3-1 shoot-out win and set up a clash with Everton at the Riverside.

Quarter-final draw
Quarter-final draw

The last-eight ties for the Capital One Cup...

United made nine changes to the side which were held to a goalless draw in Sunday's Manchester derby, yet their lacklustre first-half display suggested their inability to create chances was pandemic throughout the squad as Middlesbrough carved out the clearer openings.

After their 10,000 travelling fans had delivered a touching early tribute to those who had lost their jobs in the city's steel industry - shining their phone lights en masse 10 minutes in  - Middlesbrough created the game's first opening on 16 minutes.

Wayne Rooney of Manchester United reacts during the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Middlesbrough
Image: Wayne Rooney reacts during Man Utd's shock Capital One Cup defeat to Middlesbrough

Captain Grant Leadbitter recycled a corner, setting up Emilio Nsue for an acrobatic over-head kick, but though George Friend should have found the back of the net from three yards, stand-in 'keeper Sergio Romero was on hand to preserve parity.

United had to wait 34 minutes until they registered an attempt on target, with James Wilson's low drive comfortably saved by Mejias.

Manchester United's Jesse Lingard (right) and Middlesbrough's George Friend battle for the ball
Image: Manchester United's Jesse Lingard (right) and Middlesbrough's George Friend battle for the ball

A flurry of chances then came shortly before the interval, with Romero and Friend denying Kike and Marouane Fellaini from opening the scoring, before Romero was called upon again to tip Stewart Downing's fierce drive over the bar.

Also See:

Van Gaal rues wasteful finishing
Van Gaal rues wasteful finishing

Louis van Gaal was left to rue his side's wastefulness in attack

Rooney was brought on at half-time and his presence kick-started United, although their promising build-up play failed to yield a goal as the Reds were limited to a long-range shot from Andreas Pereira on 53 minutes.

Manchester United's Michael Carrick (right) and Middlesbrough's Carlos de Pena battle for the ball
Image: Manchester United's Michael Carrick (right) and Middlesbrough's Carlos de Pena battle for the ball

Boro then had a goal ruled out for offside when Daley Blind sliced the ball into his own net after Kike had rattled a shot against the woodwork, with replays showing the Spaniard had strayed a yard in the build-up.

Romero escaped an embarrassing moment in the 66th minute when he mis-controlled Blind's back-pass just wide of the post, while at the other end, United had a claim for a penalty waved away by referee Lee Mason, who adjudged Daniel Ayala not to have handled Matteo Darmian's cross.

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Louis van Gaal blamed poor finishing for Manchester United's penalty shoot-out defeat

With extra-time looming, both sides mounted a push for a late winner as Jesse Lingard rattled the Middlesbrough goal frame with a rasping drive and Leadbitter and Downing saw their efforts well saved by Romero.

After a slow start to extra-time, both sides came to life as Chris Smalling expertly blocked Leadbitter's volley before Fellaini was outmuscled at the far post as he tried to head Pereira's cross goalwards.

Middlesborough manager Aitor Karanka gestures on the touchline during the Capital One Cup, Fourth Round match at Old Trafford, Manchester.
Image: Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka gestures on the touchline

Boro then survived a second appeal for a United penalty as Ayala escaped punishment despite clearly handling substitute Anthony Martial's chip in the box.

And Martial was left smarting at the death as he wasted the chance to send United into the quarter-finals, heading agonisingly wide of the target from close range.

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Jamie Carragher and Jamie Redknapp comment on Manchester United's penalty shoot-out loss to Middlesbrough

To the shoot-out it went, and Rooney's kick was well saved by Mejias before United failed to make the most of David Nugent's miss as Carrick and Young saw their efforts miss the target and saved.

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Wayne Rooney missed his penalty, but was the England captain put off by a laser pen?

Paul Walsh's Soccer Special verdict

"It's another massive knock for United. They were expected to win.

"They haven't created enough chances but I think they were out-manoeuvred. Aitor Karanka got it spot-on. Middlesbrough got a bit of luck in the penalties but they had three or four good chances to win the game beforehand." 

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