Manchester United take on Middlesbrough at the
Riverside, knowing that victory in their next four games would see
them retaining the Premier League title at Chelsea on Saturday
lunchtime, 26 April.
Tuesday's 0-2 victory over AS Roma in Italy in the Champions
League was Sir Alex Ferguson's 1,200th match in charge of the Red
Devils. Sir Alex has now overseen a fifth of United's league games
in their entire history and is eager to lead them to a 10th Premier
League crown, which would also be the 17th time they were installed
champions of England - one behind Liverpool's record 18.
Middlesbrough have won 20 of 70 Premier League games under
Gareth Southgate, who's looking for an improvement on their 12th
placed finish last season.
The Riversiders have a comfortable eight point cushion between
themselves and the relegation zone, but would dearly love to
register their 100th all-time home win in the Premier League in
this fixture.
United have won three times as many league games as Boro this
season (24 to eight), scored 40 more goals (68 to 28), conceded 30
fewer (15 to 45); while the Teessiders have lost 10 more (14 to
four).
This is the 100th league meeting of Middlesbrough and Manchester
United, and the Red Devils are looking for their 50th win.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Stewart DOWNING is Middlesbrough's top scorer with seven goals.
DOWNING is also the clubs' top Premier League marksmen, with six.
DOWNING is the only remaining player to have started every one of
Middlesbrough's Premier League matches this season.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Cristiano RONALDO is Manchester United's top scorer with 36
goals. The Portuguese is also United's leading Premier League
marksman with 26 from 26 starts, and is leading the race for the
Barclays Golden Boot.
Middlesbrough have a better Premier League record against
Manchester United at Old Trafford, than they have on home soil. The
Teessiders have won three and drawn four at the Theatre of Dreams,
and won only two and drawn two at home. United are hoping to
complete the double over 'Boro for the fourth time in the Premier
League, and first since 2000-01.
at Middlesbrough only
League (inc PL): Middlesbrough 18 wins, Man Utd 20, Draws 11
Prem: Middlesbrough 2 wins, Man Utd 8, Draws 2
Middlesbrough 1-2 Manchester United
2 December 2006 - Ref: Chris Foy
Middlesbrough scorer: Morrison 66
Man United scorers: Saha 19 pen, Fletcher 68
Manchester United 4-1 Middlesbrough
27 October 2007 - Ref: Alan Wiley
Man Utd scorers: Nani 3, Rooney 33, Tevez 55, 85
Middlesbrough scorer: Aliadiere 6
Mike Riley (Leeds, Yorkshire) <!-- S ILIN
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