Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has praised fans for their support of Anthony Elanga in recent days.

Rangnick has praised the way United supporters inside Old Trafford rallied around Elanga after his penalty miss in the FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough on Friday night.

“So far what I have experienced here with our club, we have massive support, including the reaction of the Stretford End and our fans with regard to Anthony Elanga," Rangnick said, in the second part of his pre-match press conference for Tuesday's game with Burnley.

“They supported him."

Rangnick was also keen to point out how Elanga's team-mates, many of whom will have been in a similar position in the past, were quick to console him.

“He got all the support from his team-mates," he added. “There were several players including Bruno hugging him and going to him, including myself.

“This is normal, this is football.

“There have been a lot of other more experienced players missing a decisive penalty in the last 100 years."

Elanga has now experienced the highs and lows of football in quick succession, according to Rangnick, and the experience will only serve to help him develop and grow going forward.

“Yeah, as far as I could see in training, he was okay," The German told club media. “Of course, it was a difficult moment for him.

“In the last four weeks, he's now experienced both sides of this beautiful game. He did extremely well in the past couple of weeks and scored a vital goal at Brentford. Now, in the cup, he's also experienced negativity and how cruel football, at times, can be.

“It will definitely help him in his development in the next couple of months and years. Again, for us, we have to draw a line under the FA Cup. We'd love to still be part of this competition and go as far as we could have got. It's over and now tomorrow, it's Burnley."