Middlesbrough 2 Manchester United 2
THE first goals in Boro colours from Afonso Alves earned his side a share of the points at the Riverside this afternoon, writes GORDON COX.
An excellent performance across the park saw Boro come from behind to take the lead, only to get pegged back.
There was an attacking look to the side named by Gareth Southgate, who elected to start with a 4-3-3 formation.
As expected, United were near full strength, with John O'Shea slotting in alongside Rio Ferdinand to replace Nemanja Vidic.
Heavy drizzle swept across the ground as the teams prepared to kick-off, the downpour abating slightly during the opening minutes until gentle snow arrived.
There was a measured start to the game, with Boro quick and firm in the challenge, equal to anything United offered.
That was until the 10th minute.
A 30-yard Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick was deflected behind for a corner which Boro failed to clear. Michael Carrick picked up the pieces, eased past Jeremie Aliadiere and sent over a low cross which Cristiano Ronaldo tucked in from seven yards.
Boro responded positively and worked the ball around well. But all too often neat approach work brought little reward as hesitation replaced incision at the wrong time.
Sunshine followed the earlier inclement weather just in time to pick out a pacey United move down the right. Ronaldo delivered a low cross and Young had to be sharp to block Rooney.
The home side created a fine chance to equalise after a quick break with 23 minutes played. United were caught short after Patrice Evra came off worse in a challenge on the edge of the Boro box.
The ball was played into Aliadiere with O'Shea out of position, but the Frenchman pulled a low shot well wide from inside the United penalty area.
The Boro manager is not one to sit and wait for things to happen and he changed to 4-4-2 after 25 minutes.
Twice in quick succession Stewart Downing took on and got the better of Wes Brown down the left, but current England skipper Ferdinand dealt with both crosses. Afonso Alves brought an awkward save from Edwin van der Sar with an excellent free-kick and better soon followed.
With 35 minutes played, Gary O'Neil launched a long ball from inside his own half, Aliadiere flicked on and United's defence was all over the place as Afonso Alves took possession inside the penalty area, fended off Carrick, kept his nerve and slotted a low shot beyond Van der Sar.
Already looking sharp, Boro upped their game further and had a great chance to take the lead four minutes from the break.
Determination from George Boateng out on the right enable him to get the better of Evra and a deep cross found Downing just up from the edge of the six-yard box. But the ball took a moment to come down and Van der Sar was able to advance and block the eventual shot.
Approaching half-time, United has strong claims for a penalty turned down as 20-yard drive from Ronaldo stuck the arm of Andrew Taylor sliding in, but referee Mike Riley waved aside pleas from the Portuguese star.
Half-time: Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 1
A long punt forward from Mark Schwarzer was flicked on by David Wheater and Alves, off balance, headed the ball down before Carrick scrambled away an Emanuel Pogatetz effort as Boro made a lively start to the second half.
United had made a tactical change during the break, with Brown and O'Shea switching positions, but still Boro looked lively and dangerous.
It was no great surprise when they added a second 10 minutes into the second half.
Boateng won possession in midfield and lofted the ball to the edge of the penalty area where Aliadiere headed on to Afonso Alves, who still had much to do. But the Brazilian produced a quality finish to curl delightfully around Van der Sar, who was rooted to the spot.
Not happy with that, Boro went for more and it took Ferdinand at full stretch to clear the danger presented by Aliadiere.
Sir Alex Ferguson made three changes in seven minutes. Two were tactical, while the injury-enforced one saw Ferdinand limp off to be replaced by Gerard Pique.
United have an abundance of riches and always looked dangerous on the break, although it took an element of fortune to draw them level with 73 minutes played.
An error of judgement from Taylor saw him slide in to challenge Ji Sung Park on the left-hand edge of the Boro penalty area. He missed the ball, allowing the Korean time to cross to Wayne Rooney, who shot for goal from eight yards.
Schwarzer was going the right way, but the ball took a horrible deflection off Wheater and went in.
That set up the potential of a cracking finish as both teams went for the win.
Boro, Young in particular, defended superbly and flung bodies in the way of everything.
No-one has scored more goals in the final 10 minutes of games this season than United and for a second it looked as though they had found a way through as Schwarzer spilled a low effort from Rooney, but Boro scrambled the loose ball out of harm's way.
But it was Boro who had a chance to take all the points in the final minute of injury-time.
Clever footwork from Tuncay inside the United box set him up, but Van der Sar spread himself to save away to his left.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer; Young, Wheater, Pogatetz (Capt), Taylor, O'Neil, Boateng, Arca, Downing, Aliadiere (Johnson. 90+1), Alves (Tuncay 76). Unused subs: Turnbull (gk); Grounds, Cattermole.
Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, O'Shea (Hargreaves 65), Ferdinand (Pique 69), Evra, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs (Capt), Ronaldo, Tevez (Park 62), Rooney. Unused subs: Kuszczak (gk); Anderson.
Referee: Mike Riley, Leeds.
Bookings
Middlesbrough: Young, 48, foul; Boateng, 67, foul; O'Neil, 85, foul
Man United: Rooney, 54, foul.
Attendance: 33,952 - Biggest of the season
Conditions: Cool, breezy and overcast
Website Boro Man of the Match: Many contenders but it has to be Afonso Alves.
