Referee 'robbed us' - Boateng

George Boateng admitted he was “devastated” after he went from hero to villain as Middlesbrough drew 2-2 with Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-final at the Riverside.

Wayne Rooney put the Red Devils ahead before Lee Cattermole levelled just before half-time, Boateng then giving the hosts the lead shortly after the restart.

However, Boateng gave away a penalty when he blocked Rio Ferdinand’s flick-on with his hands and Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the spot.

The midfielder insisted the award by Rob Styles was harsh and believed Boro had done enough to win.

Boateng told BBC1: “I am devastated. I can’t believe it really – I feel the referee has robbed us tonight and it is painful.

“It’s a natural instinct that when a shot comes in you try and protect your face and neck.

“I was not deliberately trying to handball it. The referee gave a bad decision today again.”

The 31-year-old insisted Boro were the better side, adding: “It has been a difficult year – we have been through a lot of changes.

“We’ve done it the hard way and today I think we deserved to win if it wasn’t for the penalty.”