Marcus Rashford sends message to Anthony Elanga after his penalty miss in FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has sent an encouraging message to United teammate and youngster Anthony Elanga over his penalty miss in our FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough.
After Cristiano Ronaldo spurned an early penalty, Jadon Sancho gave Manchester United the lead in the 25th minute.
United missed a host of presentable chances thereafter and were made to pay when Matt Crooks equalised in the 64th minute in highly contentious circumstances, following what appeared to be a clear handball by Duncan Watmore.
Middlesbrough held on for the remainder of the 90 minutes and then extra-time, before prevailing 8-7 in a shootout, during which Elanga was the only player to miss from 12 yards.
The teenager, who has been impressive recent weeks, was clearly devastated and was instantly consoled by his teammates, with Ronaldo accompanying him down the tunnel.
Rashford has encouraged the youngster by telling him not to dwell on his penalty miss.
He wrote a message of support on Twitter, saying: “Anthony Elanga. Get that head of yours up immediately.”
Speaking after the game, Rangnick told ITV: “Anthony Elanga, anyone can imagine how he is, he is shattered and absolutely disappointed. It was the eighth penalty which had all converted.”
The German explained to BBC the club now have a responsibility to rally around the young forward.
“We will try to encourage him again, be there for him and it can happen to more experienced players,” he added. “We could not have had more players to take it, there was Luke Shaw, Phil Jones and the goalkeeper.”