Ralf Rangnick rages at handball rule as Middlesbrough stun Manchester United in FA Cup

Championship side advance to last 16 after winning tense penalty shootout at Old Trafford

Marcus Tavernier begins to celebrate after Middlesbrough beat Manchester United on penalties in the FA Cup fourth round. Getty Images

Manchester United's interim manager Ralf Rangnick was left confused and "surprised" after Middlesbrough's equaliser in their FA Cup tie on Friday night was allowed to stand despite a handball in the build-up.

The goal proved decisive as Championship side Boro went on to stun their Premier League opponents in a dramatic penalty shootout and advance to the last 16 at Old Trafford.

Jadon Sancho had given the hosts the lead in the first half and United should have been out of sight, with Cristiano Ronaldo missing a penalty as well as other chances, while Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford were also culpable.

Boro then took their chance in the 64th minute when Matt Crooks levelled, although the ball had clearly hit Duncan Watmore's arm before he played the ball across goal.

In a tense penalty shoot-out, the sides could not be separated until Anthony Elanga blazed the 16th kick over the crossbar to send Boro's fans wild.

While Rangnick lamented his side's profligacy, he was understandably miffed by Boro's equaliser.

"How can it be accidental if he controls the ball up in the air with his hand? It was clear it should not stand but in the end I was really surprised it stood," Rangnick said.

"We conceded a goal which I don't understand why it stood. He controlled it with his hand. In the moment when they scored, it was clear that VAR would not allow this goal to stand."

The ball hits Duncan Watmore's arm in the build-up to Middlesbrough's equalising goal against Manchester United. Getty Images

The handball rule was tweaked for this season and now states "if an attacking player's accidental handball immediately precedes another player scoring, the goal will now be awarded".

Even Boro manager Chris Wilder was surprised the goal had been allowed to stand after a VAR check.

"We rode our luck and took our chances. The decisions that are made through VAR have changed since I left the Premier League – I thought straight away it was handball," he said. "I thought it would be chalked out and delighted it wasn't."

Jadon Sancho had given Manchester United the lead in the first half and the hosts had numerous chances to put them game out of sight. Getty Images

Wilder's main target this season since taking over in November is to get Boro into the playoffs and they are already up to seventh. An FA Cup win at Old Trafford against a strong United team will certainly do wonders for his team's confidence. It also lit the fuse for a weekend of FA Cup action.

"We are delighted, the opposition will be wondering how they did not progress, it is the magic of the Cup, we rode our luck, took our chances and took it to a shootout," Wilder said.

"You give yourself an opportunity to witness scenes like tonight, 10,000 fans coming down the road and going away happy.

Anthony Elanga is consoled by Cristiano Ronaldo after missing the 16th kick in the penalty shootout to eliminate Manchester United from the FA Cup. AFP

"A fabulous night for the football club and why fans around the world enjoy the FA Cup. You cannot get any better than winning at Old Trafford on a Friday night."

To complete a miserable night for 12-time winners United, an electrical surge meant their stadium catering operation ground to a halt and no food was available for fans during the game.

"We sincerely regret the disappointment and inconvenience this caused fans," a statement read. "All remaining hot and perishable food was given away for free to supporters as they left the stadium."