Manchester United made hard work of dispatching Middlesbrough at
Old Trafford but after missing a glut of chances Dimitar Berbatov
spared their blushes with the only goal.
The Bulgarian volleyed home from close range in the 69th minute
after Michael Carrick's left-wing cross had bounced back off Boro
defender David Wheater.
Berbatov, who replaced Boxing Day's match-winner at Stoke Carlos
Tevez after he returned to Argentina on a ''family issue'', was one
of the guilty culprits in the first hour of the match.
But he was not the only one with Wayne Rooney, Cristiano
Ronaldo, Rafael, Nemanja Vidic and Ji-sung Park all squandering
chances against a determined Middlesbrough side.
United will probably have few games this season as one-sided as
this but they were in real danger of stumbling in their bid to
close the gap on Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Credit must also go to Middlesbrough, especially goalkeeper Ross
Turnbull, who put in a disciplined performance which very nearly
paid off with a point.
An indication things were not going United's way was when Park's
shot was stopped by Vidic from Rooney's left-wing free-kick.
Moments later the South Korea midfielder was denied again from
long range by the outstanding Turnbull, with Ronaldo driving wide
on the turn from United's next attack.
But Berbatov finally made the breakthrough in the 69th minute
when he volleyed home from close range after Carrick's cross from
the left had rebounded off Wheater.
Park then produced a contender for miss of the season when he
somehow ballooned over from three yards from substitute Gary
Neville's cross.
However, United had done enough to close the gap on Liverpool to
seven points with two matches in hand.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his side's
wastefulness in front of goal is becoming a concern after they
scraped a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough.
Dimitar Berbatov scored the solitary goal in the 69th minute in
a largely frustrating evening for United at Old Trafford.
"We have missed a lot of chances. That is a big concern,"
Ferguson told Setanta Sports 1. '' The win was United's second
narrow 1-0 success over lowly opposition following their victory at
Stoke on Boxing Day and Ferguson acknowledged the importance of
grinding out results.
He added: "(Wins like this) are just as important. Three points
are the name of the game. But I have to say how well Middlesbrough
played tonight."
Ferguson also paid tribute to Berbatov, saying: "He is a
marvellous player and he has taken his goal very well - and at a
crucial moment."
United are now seven points behind Barclays Premier League
leaders Liverpool.
The United boss added: "We are are a good position come the turn
of the year. We have two games in hand, both at home. We have
played more games away. When we have played the games in hand that
will be level. It will be a great run-in."
United also have two games in hand on Chelsea, who are just four
points ahead, but asked if he thought Liverpool posed a greater
threat than the Blues, Ferguson said: "I don't think so."
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate refused to be downbeat after
watching his side put on a battling display.
"We looked bright, our attitude was fantastic and there was a
lot of healthy performances. I'm not displeased. Only one team has
taken a point from here so there's no disgrace in that."
The former England international refused to dwell on the fact
his club are only spared the ignominy of spending the new year in
the drop zone by dint of better a goal difference than Stoke.
"There's 18 games to go, and there's 10-12 teams in the bottom
section of the table," he told Setanta Sports 1. "It's about
keeping our heads. We've got big games coming up, we've been here
before and worked steadily out of it and we have to do it
again."
Southgate also shrugged off speculation his job at the Riverside
Stadium could be on the line.
"We don't take our position for granted but we understand the
situation we are working in," he said. "We're competing - five or
six games ago we were in a healthy position. Two wins would change
things, there's no panic here. I'm prepared to give everything I
have."
The Boro boss had a final word on the future of winger Stewart
Downing, who has been linked with a move in the January transfer
window.
He said: "We're not looking to sell our best players. He's not
for sale."
