LOUIS VAN GAAL has branded Middlesbrough’s penalty shoot-out victory over his Manchester United side ‘lucky’ – but goalkeeper Tomas Mejias does not see it that way.

The Spaniard saved from Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young as Boro set up a Capital One Cup quarter-final date with Everton after beating United 3-1 on penalties.

Middlesbrough had heroically held out against United in 120 minutes of football for the game to end goalless, but the United perspective yesterday was that Lady Luck had shone on Boro at Old Trafford.

"It is more like the casino, red or black," Van Gaal said. "We trained on penalties, but it is like that. I cannot take them."

"They were lucky but of course you can force the luck.

The Northern Echo: Middlesbrough goalkeeper Tomas Mejias (left) celebrates saving the decisive penalty with teammates after winning the shootout following the Capital One Cup, Fourth Round match at Old Trafford, Manchester. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday O

"We have created a lot of chances, especially in the second half and in extra time. We had chances from one metre, two metres in front of the goal. We have to finish those.

"In football it is always the goals that are counting and not the chances."

United defender Chris Smalling agreed with his manager, saying: “It's our job to break them down and we couldn't do it in normal or extra time, and when you get to penalties it's anyone's luck."

A laser pen may have played its part too, as the Football Association have opened an investigation after video footage showed a green light on Rooney’s face moments before the England captain missed his spot-kick.

But Mejias thinks that Middlesbrough deserve the credit for holding their own against United in a game that the Teessiders could have even won in normal time.

The Northern Echo: Middlesbrough goalkeeper Tomas Mejias celebrates after Manchester United's Michael Carrick misses his penalty during the Capital One Cup, Fourth Round match at Old Trafford, Manchester. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday October 28, 2015. Se

“It was so good for the team, we passed it around so it was unbelievable,” said the 26-year-old.

“I think that we shouldn't forget all the match as the team was amazing for 90 minutes and in extra time, we worked together and in the end we won.

“But we played in our style with the whole team together and had plenty of chances to win. The most important thing was the will of the team, we worked together but now we need to think about the next match.”

A trio of England internationals in Michael Carrick, Rooney and Young missed their penalties for United and Mejias, who disappeared in a pile of jubilant Boro players after saving Young’s spot-kick, admitted that his moment in the limelight was a dream come true.

"This is a great stadium against a good rival, so it's a great moment,” he said. “Of course (I dreamt) of this moment. Saving two penalties out of four, all goalkeepers want this.

“It's the best moment for a goalkeeper.

"(Wayne Rooney) is an amazing player and to save a penalty off him was so good, but it was just one moment and I need to train harder and keep going.”

The Northern Echo: Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal (left) gives instructions to his players before the start of the second period of extra time during the Capital One Cup, Fourth Round match at Old Trafford, Manchester. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednes

Mejias made his fourth start of the season on Wednesday having been involved in previous League Cup matches against Oldham Athletic, Burton Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers as well as Boro’s FA Cup win at Manchester City last season, and the former Real Madrid stopper hopes that his penalty heroics will give him a chance to topple first-choice goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos.

“It's difficult when you don't play a lot of games, but I think all the team have confidence,” said Mejias, after Boro had made five changes for the trip to Old Trafford. “We had some chances to win the game (in 90 minutes) but they played well and we defended amazingly.

“I am young, I need to keep going and working and thinking about the next match and the next training (session).

“It's hard (when not playing regularly), of course. When you don't play too much it's difficult but I think the team works so good together, and the team feels a lot of confidence from me. So for that reason it was great and I'll keep trying to help the team.

“I think I need to think about myself and the team, but I told you before. I need to work hard in training and we'll see in the future.”

  • Boro’s game against Everton has been selected for live TV coverage and will take place on Tuesday, December 1, with a 7.45pm kick-off.