vs
Man Utd v
Middlesbrough
Manchester United are able to include England midfielder Owen
Hargreaves, who has been out with a knee problem. Paul Scholes is
out with a knee injury but Patrice Evra should play despite
suffering a calf strain in midweek.
Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere is in contention for a
place after recovering from a hamstring injury. Defenders Robert
Huth and Emanuel Pogatetz are not yet ready to return, while Julio
Arca, Brad Jones and Matthew Bates remain sidelined.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Man Utd (from):
Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, O'Shea,
Evra, Fletcher, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson, Nani, Giggs, Rooney,
Tevez, Eagles, Simpson.
Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer,
Turnbull, Young, Woodgate, Riggott, Taylor, Downing, Boateng,
Rochemback, Aliadiere, Mido, Sanli, O'Neil, Craddock, Lee, Wheater,
Cattermole, Hutchinson.
REFEREE
Alan Wiley (Burntwood, Staffordshire)
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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:
"It's been frustrating for Owen. "Missing games is not what he came
here for. He's come here for a big fee and he must be a bit
disappointed. "But it is a long season and he is back now which is
terrific for us. It gives us a better chance of doing well."
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate:
"I remember, before we beat Chelsea a couple of years ago, I said
that if we can put a man on the moon we can beat Chelsea. "If you
believe they put a man on the moon then anything is possible and I
maintain that going into this game. "They have got some class acts
who we respect but I'm determined that we are going there to win
and not sit back."
KEY PLAYER NOTES
MANCHESTER UNITED
RONALDO is Manchester United's top scorer with six goals. RONALDO
and Wayne ROONEY are the clubs top Premier League marksmen, with
three each. Ryan GIGGS is one short of 100 career league
goals.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Stewart DOWNING is Middlesbrough's top scorer, with three Premier
League goals - one more than he managed in the whole of last
season.
HEAD TO HEAD
United were held to a 1-1 draw by a plucky Middlesbrough side in
last season's corresponding fixture. The Red Devils have a 42%
winning record against the Teessiders in the Premier League at Old
Trafford (won just five of 12).
at Man United only
League (inc PL): Man United 28 wins, Middlesbro 11, Draws 10
Prem: Man United 5 wins, Middlesbro 3, Draws 4
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Manchester United 1-1 Middlesbrough
21 April 2007 - Ref: Peter Walton
Man United scorer: Richardson 3
Middlesbrough scorer: Viduka 45
