Manchester United pay the price for squad decisions in defeat to Middlesbrough

The Old Trafford kiosks had to pull down the shutters at half-time. An announcement that no food or drink would be sold elicited chants of 'We want Glazers out'. In the museum, there is a shortage of cups.

Those who remained for extra-time might argue it a more parsimonious act under the Glazer ownership than any thrifty transfer windows. The players will not sup champagne from the FA Cup and that is partly down to decision-making in January.

Even when the good times looked to be returning at United, the bad is lurking around the corner ready to smack them square in the face. United fans sang about going to Wem-ber-ley but they will not be for at least another year. Ending their trophy drought depends on the Champions League.

Anthony Elanga's body language was of a rookie struck by stage fright and his decisive penalty endangered spectators in the Stretford End. The United supporters chanted his name and Cristiano Ronaldo put an arm around the teenager's shoulder as the Boro players charged towards their followers.

Elanga should not have been needed. Some of the football United played, admittedly a second-tier team, was of a style that appeared in Ralf Rangnick's brochure. Yet regulation time ended at 1-1.

United hit the crossbar, the post, the side-netting, the goalkeeper, the stands and had a goal chalked off. Cristiano Ronaldo spurned a penalty and Middlesbrough's equaliser was via a clear and obvious handball.

Appropriately for a side who failed to score outright against a questionable goalkeeper, United yielded in the penalty shootout without drawing a save from Joe Lumley. United's only goal in the 90 minutes was an own goal and they should have known not to underestimate the steely determination of Chris Wilder, a