Stadium: The Riverside Stadium, England
Match Time: 12:45 UK
25' Ryan Giggs
51' Ji-Sung Park
Team News:
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate will check on a series of minor knocks before naming his side to face Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United.
Only Emanuel Pogatetz (knee) and Chris Riggott (ankle) have been ruled out of the game at the Riverside and Southgate is hopeful they will be the only absentees.
French midfielder Didier Digard, who was used as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal last Sunday after a lengthy lay-off, will once again be in contention, although he is short of full match-fitness.
Southgate is confident of causing a shock based on Boro's results this season and hopes the result can kick-start their fight against the drop.
"We have got results against Arsenal and Liverpool here this season already, so that fills us with confidence,'' he said.
"There's nothing to lose because nobody would expect us to get anything from the game - and if we do, that's a huge boost for us.
"I want to achieve success over the next few games for everybody at the club, not just the players. As the manager, you have to prepare for both scenarios. I have to plan budgets and look at the upheaval.
"It hits home to you how difficult it would be if the worst scenario happened because there would be so much uncertainty, such a financial shortfall to meet, so it would clearly set you back as a football club a long way.''
Wes Brown returns to the Manchester United squad for the first time since the end of January as Sir Alex Ferguson's men look to take another step towards clinching the Premier League title.
With Rio Ferdinand ruled out by a rib injury, Brown has been drafted into the United squad as cover for Jonny Evans following his recovery from a foot injury.
Ferguson is promising a number of changes, which could include the introductions of Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, although more senior players could be involved than he first indicated immediately after United's Champions League win over Arsenal.
The United boss is not happy with the lunch-time kick off at the Riverside and believes his side should have had more time to recover from their midweek exploits.
"Teams who play in Europe on a Wednesday should not have a lunchtime kick-off on a Saturday,'' he said.
"That goes for all teams, not just us. You would think these guys sitting in an office all week would think about these things. But when you shake hands with the devil you pay the price.
"In any case, every game is so important and the incentives so great now, whether it is at midnight or 7am, it does not interrupt what we are doing.''
(Credits:Soccernet)
Posts
