Manchester United Vs. Middlesbrough Match Report

Middlesbrough have traditionally held something of a hoodoo over United at Old Trafford, but even they couldn't do anything to prevent another vibrant attacking display from Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

Goals from Nani, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez (twice) invalidated an early equaliser from Jeremie Aliadiere and put United on top of the Barclays Premier League, ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Liverpool on Sunday.

Following on from convincing victories over Wigan, Aston Villa and Dynamo Kyiv, the scoreline also marked a fourth-consecutive four-goal haul, equalling a club record set back in the 1907/08 season.

The only noteworthy change to Sir Alex Ferguson’s line-up saw Owen Hargreaves return for only his fourth United appearance, his first taste of action since the victory over Sunderland on September 1.

Whereas Boro traditionally come to Old Trafford with a stifling approach clearly at the fore, Gareth Southgate’s 4-4-2 formation suggested the potential for an open game, and the early goal bore that out in style.

The deadlock was broken inside three minutes as Nani picked the ball up on the left flank, just inside the Boro half. The Portuguese winger beat three defenders, cut inside and sent goalwards a scorching 30-yard drive which arced over the flailing Schwarzer.

Less than two minutes later, Carlos Tevez could have doubled the Reds’ lead. The Argentine striker was sent clean through, but his attempt to lift the ball over Schwarzer was thwarted by the Australian stopper.

United would rue that miss moments later as the visitors drew level. Turkish striker Tuncay, who scored a hat-trick for Fenerbahce in his last appearance against the Reds, did superbly to outfox John O’Shea and send in a cross, which Aliadiere glanced in off van der Sar’s far post.

The Turk proved troublesome again after 24 minutes, arcing in another fine cross which Stewart Downing headed wastefully past the far post. Boro were by no means bossing the game, but they were certainly proving a handful on the counter-attack.

United, as per, were enjoying the lion’s share of possession, and responded to Downing’s near-miss with one of their own, as Ronaldo latched onto Rooney’s pass and sent a left-footed shot skidding just past Schwarzer’s post.

Downing was heavily involved again as United retook the lead after 32 minutes. The England international dwelled on the ball inside his own area and, as he attempted to pass clear, Nani nicked the ball to Rooney, who hammered a shot past Schwarzer and in.

The Australian was called into action again moments later as United sought to extend their lead. A spell of heavy pressure ended with O’Shea sliding the ball back to Ronaldo, whose low sidefooted effort was held by Schwarzer.

United seemed liberated by the chance to savour their advantage, and they continued to pile the pressure on Boro’s goal, coming agonizingly close to scoring a third in first-half injury time.

A defensive slip allowed Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo to break against just one Boro defender, but Rooney’s overhit pass to Tevez was half-cleared to Nani. In the ensuing melee, the winger’s cross fell invitingly to Ronaldo, but the ball merely bounced off him and ricocheted straight to Schwarzer.

The lead stayed at just the one goal going into the break, but it could easily have been extended further within a minute of the restart as Tevez fed Rooney, but the England striker could only fire narrowly over the crossbar with a diagonal shot.

Much had been made of the burgeoning English-Argentine partnership upfront after their prominent role against Aston Villa and Dynamo Kyiv, and they combined again to devastating effect to put United 3-1 ahead.

Tevez flicked a long ball straight to Rooney and continued his run into the box. Tevez then slipped below radar as he crept into the box, but Rooney was able to find him with a sumptuous back-heel, which teed up the Argentine for a simple slid finish.

Parallels have been drawn between the infamous Cole-Yorke partnership and the current Tevez-Rooney pairing of late, and this goal was the most glaring sign of similarity yet. The duo’s interplay immediately evoked memories of Cole’s much-heralded 1998 goal against Barcelona, scored with similarly intuitive front-play.

With a two-goal lead established, Sir Alex opted to bring on Darren Fletcher and Gerard Pique for some much-needed playing time, as they replaced Hargreaves and Ferdinand respectively.

Ryan Giggs also replaced Anderson after another impressive display from the young Brazilian, but there was no disruption to United’s attacking flow, and they grabbed a fourth goal with five minutes remaining.

Rooney broke from deep inside his own half and left Cattermole trailing in his wake before picking out Tevez, who cut inside and, although his goal-bound shot struck Taylor’s arm, it bounced down into the ground and past the hapless Schwarzer.

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Vidic, Ferdinand (Pique, 73), O’Shea; Ronaldo, Hargreaves (Fletcher, 66), Anderson (Giggs, 78), Nani; Tevez, Rooney.
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Simpson.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer; Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Taylor; O’Neil, Cattermole (Boateng, 90), Rochemback, Downing; Tuncay (Lee, 80), Aliadiere (Hutchinson, 55).
Subs not used: Turnbull, Hines.

Attendance: 75,720