Manchester United vs Middlesbrough LIVE: FA Cup latest score and goal updates tonight
Manchester United are taking on Middlesbrough tonight as they meet in the FA Cup fourth round. The two clubs have not come up against one another since 2017, with Boro sitting seventh in the Championship and looking to climb back into the Premier League.
Ralf Rangnick’s side had a reasonably quiet January transfer window, with no major incomings as first-team players Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial departed on loan, although Paul Pogba is back to fitness after a lengthy period out injured.
Boro manager Chris Wilder won on his last visit to Old Trafford while in charge of Sheffield United, and will hope talented Slovenian Andraz Sporar can continue his impressive season when they visit tonight. After United’s scratchy third round win against Aston Villa, Middlesbrough will be looking to pounce and cause a cup surprise. Middlesbrough were below their best last time out against Coventry but ground out a 1-0 win.
Follow all the latest updates below.
- United fourth in Premier League fighting for Champions League spot
- Boro seventh in Championship chasing promotion to the top flight
- Match kicks off at 8pm GMT
A few stats for you. Manchester United had 67% possession and 14 attempts at goal with six on target. In comparison Middlesbrough managed just one shot in the first half, a long-ranged effort from Folarin Balogun that sailed wide of the post.
Michael Jones4 February 2022 20:58
A few talking points from the first half: Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty kick before Jadon Sancho’s deflected effort gave Manchester United the lead. Bruno Fernandes has been brilliant, lacing passes around the pitch and Paul Pogba has impressed on his return from injury.
Michael Jones4 February 2022 20:54
45+1 mins: Manchester United take a one-goal lead into the break. Chris Wilder will be happy with that as his Middlesbrough side got opened up a couple of times and gave away a penalty.
United could yet end up ruing their missed opportunities but if they play in a similar way in the second half they should add to their tally.
Michael Jones4 February 2022 20:50
44 mins: Paul Pogba loses the ball to Marcus Tavernier and tries to win it back immediately but mistimes the attempt. He chops chopped down the Boro midfielder from behind and picks up a booking.
Michael Jones4 February 2022 20:48
41 mins: Chances! Manchester United set Rashford up twice from consecutive corners. Shaw slides the first one into the box for Fernandes who jumps over the ball letting it roll through to Rashford he shoots and has the effort deflected behind.
The second corner is knocked to Shaw by Sancho before he receives the ball back. Sancho dribbles into the box this time but once again lays it off to Rashford on the edge of the box. he shoots and smokes the chance straight down the throat of Lumley.
Michael Jones4 February 2022 20:44
38 mins: An ambitious diagonal pass from Shaw finds Rashford on the opposite side of the pitch. Rashford takes an equally ambitious shot from outside the box but has his effort blocked.
Shaw swings a corner into the penalty area aiming for Maguire but Dael Fry beats him in the air and heads the ball out of danger.
Michael Jones4 February 2022 20:41
35 mins: Chance! Jonny Howson brings the ball forward on the counterattack after Ronaldo has another shot blocked by Lumley. Howson brings the ball into United’s half and curls a pass up to Balogun. Balogun checks inside of Varane and hits a swerving shot from range. His target is the top right hand corner but the ball sails wide of the post.
Michael Jones4 February 2022 20:36
33 mins: Marcus Rashford scores but he’s flagged offside. Rashford takes up a position on the front edge of the box as United put together a few short passes on the right side. The ball comes to Fernandes who slots a pass into the area for Rashford to run onto. He does and smokes a first time effort through Lumley but the flag goes up to spare the Middlesbrough goalkeeper some blushes.
Michael Jones4 February 2022 20:34
30 mins: Chance! United knock the ball around the back line and draw out Middlesbrough’s midfielders. Fernandes and Shaw play a one-two to send Fernandes driving into space on the left side. He carries the ball into the Boro half and plays Ronaldo into the box. Ronaldo shrugs off an attempted tackle and sends a shot across goal but puts it wide of the far post.
Michael Jones4 February 2022 20:32
28 mins: Manchester United have deserved the goal. They’ve been the more aggressive side and have created two or three great chances already.
Middlesbrough can’t get a foothold in the game. Their forwards have hardly had a touch and United are controlling possession high up the pitch.
Michael Jones4 February 2022 20:30