MARCUS RASHFORD led the support for rookie Anthony Elanga after he became the latest victim of disgusting racial abuse.
Striker Elanga was targeted by social media morons for missing a penalty as Manchester United lost an FA Cup shootout to Middlesbrough.
The Swedish teenager was distraught at blazing a vital spot-kick over the bar and seeing United crashed out 8-7 following Friday’s 1-1 draw.
Cristiano Ronaldo put his arm around the 19-year-old as they trudged down the Old Trafford tunnel, with more United players — including Juan Mata and Bruno Fernandes — adding their consolation.
Yet a number of abusive messages were left on Elanga’s Instagram page with Aberdeen striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas highlighting them and adding the comment “predictable.”
England star Rashford immediately sprang to his young team-mate’s defence after the game, tweeting: “Anthony Elanga. Get that head of yours up immediately.”
Rashford, 24, was also a victim of horrendous abuse — along with United team-mate Jadon Sancho and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka — when all three missed penalties in last summer’s Euro final shootout loss to Italy.
United coach Ralf Rangnick said Elanga was “shattered” in the dressing room.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
The German added: “We will try to encourage him again, be there for him and it can happen to more experienced players.”
Spanish keeper David de Gea, who was rested for the fourth-round tie, added his own support by simply tweeting Elanga’s name alongside a heart emoji.
Meta, the company which owns Instagram and Facebook, removed the comments and are investigating.
A fan who admitted abusing Rashford, Sancho and Saka last year was jailed for ten weeks in November.
Under new legislation, racist fans guilty of targeting players online could be banned from football grounds in England and Wales for up to ten years.
The law is expected to be introduced as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
