United winger, Elanga after suffering racial abuse on social media got a message of solidarity from United teammate, Rashford
By Kehimde Okeowo
Red Devils’ young winger Anthony Elanga has been subjected to racial abuse on social media after Friday night’s FA Cup fourth-round dramatic defeat by Middlesbrough.
Elanga, 19, ballooned his shot over the bar after 14 other penalty takers scored, causing United to lose 8-7 in a shootout after a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
The abuse was heightened by Aberdeen striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who tweeted screenshots with the caption “so easy to predict”.
The offensive messages were, however, later deleted
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Jadon Sancho seemed to have earned United a passage to the last 16 after scoring the opening goal on his FA Cup debut to give United a 1-0 lead.
But former United youngster Matt Crooks scored a controversial equaliser for Middlesbrough, tapping home from close range despite Duncan Watmore handling the ball in the build-up to the goal.
The game went into a shootout and both sides were tied after 14 penalties, but Elanga struck his penalty over the crossbar.
Elanga was consoled by several United players on the pitch – including Phil Jones, captain Harry Maguire, and Ronaldo, who also missed his penalty.
After the game, Marcus Rashford offered moral support to Elanga on social media, tweeting: “Anthony Elanga. Get that head of yours up immediately.”