Twitter explodes as Cristiano Ronaldo fails to deliver in Manchester United's loss against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup

Manchester United were knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a first-half penalty as Manchester United went crashing out of the FA Cup against Middlesbrough. The game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes but Boro held on to beat the Red Devils 8-7 in a penalty shootout.

Ralf Rangnick named an extremely strong side for the game as Cristiano Ronaldo lead the line on the night. Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford all started behind the Portuguese superstar. Paul Pogba made his long-awaited return to the team. The Frenchman last played in a Champions League group stage game against Atalanta back in November last year. Rafael Varane partnered Harry Maguire in defense, with Dean Henderson getting the nod over David De Gea in goal

Manchester United started the game strongly as Sancho saw his chipped effort hit the crossbar after Joe Lumley's error in goal. The Red Devils took firm control of the game in the opening exchanges and all their pressure paid off in the 19th minute as Anfernee Dijksteel brought down Pogba in the box.

Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty but inexplicably pulled his effort wide of the post. However, United didn't take their foot off the gas pedal and saw their perseverance rewarded five minutes later as Sancho latched onto Fernandes' pass before juking the defender and scoring a lovely finish.

The Red Devils looked like they would kick on and double their lead in the first half but Boro did well to hold on until half-time. The second half started much the same as United looked to put the game to bed. However, Boro pegged Rangnick's side back in the 64th minute after a controversial goal. Duncan Watmore handled the ball in the build-up to the goal before seeing his effort bundled home by Matt Crooks at the far post.

However, the goal did not seem to deter United as they searched for an equalizer. Their opportunity to put the game to bed came in the 72nd minute as Fernandes had and empty net to put the ball into after taking advantage of another goalkeeping error by Lumley. However, the midfielder embarrassingly saw his effort strike the woodwork.

The rest of the game teetered on as both sides made substitutions in order to find a winner. However, neither side could create any significant chances as the game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.

The two sides went into a penalty shootout to decide who would progress into the next round of the FA Cup. However, United youngster Anthony Elanga blasted his effort over the bar during sudden death to give Boro the win.

Cristiano Ronaldo could not inspire Manchester United to an FA Cup victory

Cristiano Ronaldo put in a disappointing display

Cristiano Ronaldo will be rueing his first-half penalty miss following Manchester United's elimination from the FA Cup. Nothing seemed to go right for the Portuguese superstar as he couldn't find the back of the net despite taking 10 shots on the night.

The forward has now failed to register a goal or an assist in his last four games for Manchester United. Ralf Rangnick will be hoping that Cristiano Ronaldo can return to his best soon as the Red Devils have important Premier League and Champions League games coming up later this month.

With that being said, here are the best Twitter reactions to Manchester United being eliminated from the FA Cup:

MANCHESTER UNITED ARE KNOCKED OUT OF THE FA CUP BY MIDDLESBROUGH ON PENALTIES. https://t.co/IaB5JKxtsa

Manchester United have NEVER won a penalty shootout in the 151-year history of the FA Cup 😳 https://t.co/tAdLJEUESh

❌ - Cristiano Ronaldo fails to score a penalty for Manchester United for the first time since he saw his penalty saved in the penalty shootout of the Champions League final against Chelsea in 2008.

https://t.co/XUtv7iGZd2

Manchester United haven't won a trophy since 2017 😳 https://t.co/jCQAgK1OUw

This match started off so well and it's now turned back to depressing. Only Man Utd.

Let’s all laugh at Manchester United, dead club 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

"My name is Harry, and I am a Manchester United fan"

"Hi Harry" https://t.co/O2EErbwaj1

Middlesbrough were pumped after upsetting Manchester United at Old Trafford 💥 https://t.co/pz4N6DndAa

😱 THEY'VE DONE IT 😱

@Boro have knocked out @ManUtd after a tense penalty-shootout! 🤯

#EmiratesFACup https://t.co/tBi61134fh

Cristiano Ronaldo went over to support Anthony Elanga after he missed his penalty ❤️ https://t.co/XWtl02Jkvp

Mata and Ronaldo trying to run it back on the counter https://t.co/FWvRP8oArl

😲 @Cristiano puts his penalty wide!

#EmiratesFACup https://t.co/AwLpf9V3cK

Sol Bamba nonchalantly stepping up and smashing a penalty into the bottom corner at Old Trafford as Boro knock Man Utd out of the FA Cup is some moment.

We'll leave you with this 🙌

Up. The. Boro. https://t.co/iHvwoZcBRW

Manchester United’s attack vs Middlesbrough:

71% possession
30 total shots
25 chances created
7 big chances created
1 goal scored

A poor display of finishing in front of goal for Manchester United cost them tonight. 🥅 https://t.co/fVgbeGsMQA

Johnny Howson after knocking Man Utd out the FA Cup:
#MUFC #Boro #LUFC https://t.co/972rPIv02y

😂 Big fan of the Boro goalie who got nowhere near any of the pens giving it the biggun there. Fair play.

Lumley taking credit there https://t.co/LoBnCZdDH2

What happened to Bruno Fernandes? 😭

Bruno Fernandes didn't put this away 😳 https://t.co/gzZTFDov4u