Match Preview : Man Utd v Middlesbrough

Old Trafford

Saturday, 27 October

Kick-off: 1500 BST

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.

BIG-MATCH FACTS

Manchester United and Middlesbrough clash for the 99th time in the league.

The Red Devils are out to follow up their impressive 4-2 Champions League win away to Dynamo Kiev, with an eighth straight league victory to jump over Arsenal and return to the top of the table.

The Teessiders know that a fourth straight league defeat would leave them fourth bottom, just one point above the relegation zone.

United boast the Premier League's tightest defence with three goals shipped in 10 outings and an unparalleled seven clean sheets; 'Boro have conceded the opening goal in an unequalled eight of their 10 games in this division this term.

Boro have only lost once in six Premier League visits to Old Trafford since March 2002, winning two and drawing three.

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).

Home and awayLeague (inc PL): Man United 48 wins, Middlesbro 29, Draws 21Prem: Man United 13 wins, Middlesbro 5, Draws 6
at Man United onlyLeague (inc PL): Man United 28 wins, Middlesbro 11, Draws 10Prem: Man United 5 wins, Middlesbro 3, Draws 4

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Manchester United 1-1 Middlesbrough21 April 2007 - Ref: Peter WaltonMan United scorer: Richardson 3Middlesbrough scorer: Viduka 45

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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.

Credit : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7054065.stm

Watch LIVE match :
Manchester United - Middlesbrough 15:00 GMT

http://4.livefooty.doctor-serv.com/sat27.10/ManU_Middlesbrough.html

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