Wayne Rooney boldly stepped up to take the first penalty in what seemed a gesture of confidence from the Manchester United striker only have his effort saved while laser light was shone in his face.

It was a final blow on a night to forget for the under fire captain, only to be worsened by fellow senior players Michael Carrick and Ashley Young also failing from the spot and gifting Middlesbrough passage to the Capital One Cup quarter-finals.

While Rooney made no complaint about the laser in post-match interviews, he did appear to remonstrate with the assistant referee after United were bundled out of the competition and footage clearly showed a green light directed at his eyes while the ball was on the spot.

With the form of England's skipper under intense scrutiny, here's how he fared in key areas after coming on at half-time substitute on Wednesday night at Old Trafford in another fourth-round upset.

A green laser light shines in Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney's face as he shapes up for a penalty

The out-of-form striker tries to focus before thefirst penalty in a shooutout defeat by Middlesbrough

Rooney appeared to remonstrate with the assistant referee after United were knocked out of the League Cup

Attacking intent

Rooney slotted up front from the word go and found himself in space with half-chances on a few occasions. His movements were good enough to create something, and he did cause a few problems for Boro's defence. He somehow lacked the killer instinct to see his chances through. The penalty miss summed up United's efforts in the shootout.

Defensive duties

Rooney could, and perhaps should, have helped United out more in their own half, especially in the period which saw Daley Blind's howler. He was able to keep United pressing high by tackling well in Boro's half, before dropping into midfield in extra-time. Strangely, United had more chances late on with Anthony Martial and Marouane Fellaini running the show up front.

Rooney started on the bench before coming on for young striker James Wilson for the second-half

Rooney caused problems for Middlesbrough's defence but was unable to find the killer blow for his side

Passing

Rooney linked up well with Memphis Depay early in the second half. He played a great ball after a good first touch and Memphis was robbed at the death.

Generally, Rooney was able to bring his team-mates into play. However, Middlesbrough's defence deep in their own half denied a final product to any of Rooney's efforts to spread the ball.

Presence on the pitch

A sign of the support still behind him, Rooney got a big cheer when his name was announced at the start of second half. It helped his demeanour as he was his usual boisterous self and United came out a much-improved attacking side compared to the first half.

As a sign that support remains for him, Rooney was given a substantial cheers when introduced

Rooney airs his frustration during the match but United definitely were an improved side for his presence

Keeping his cool

While he was able to eke out his long-range passes with ease, and kept himself in check with tackles, Rooney's expected calmness from the penalty spot deserted him on United's first effort of the shootout.

Boro goalkeeper Tomas Mejias was able to dive to his right and save the low spot-kick.

The key moment to keep his cool came, though, with Rooney's limp low effort easily saved by Tomas Mejias