Middlesborough v Man Utd

How will SAF play this one? Rest key players for the Roma return leg at Old Trafford or is the semi-final place already in the bag. This match is played the day after both Chelsea and Arsenal games giving SAF the luxury of knowing what is team need to do to maintain their 5 point lead at the top of the table.

I believe he will chose his team for this game based on the results of the other two main contenders. Personally, I think he should play his strongest team and go for the 3 points regardless of anything else. Roma are already dead in the water.

I wouldn't yet say that Roma are out of it. They could easily score two or three. But we do have one foot in the semi's.

Regarding Middlesborough I think there will be changes with Tevez and Giggs coming in and probably changes in midfield .

I can see Utd winning this 2-0.

I agree smithy, Roma are not yet out of the Champions League tie. Also Boro should not be under estimated this Sunday either. They took a well earned point from the Emirates a few weeks ago and were unlucky not to snatch one at the Bridge last Sunday too. Boro have had a few good results in league at home against the big four. I think giving key players a rest at the Riverside could be a big mistake and i think Ronaldo & Rooney etc will be playing. Although UTD are 5 points clear at the top the season is far from over. SAF can not afford to slip up to any mid table teams as the trip to Stamford Bridge on the 26th of April could be the deciding game to where the Premier league title goes.

I can't see Roma getting 3 goals against what has been the best defence in the league this season, only conceding 5 goals at home so far. Arsenal, West Ham, Man City and Dynamo Kiev are the only sides to have scored 2 goals against Man U, and not without reply. Still, there is no room for complacency and Man U will need at least one goal at home to put the result beyond doubt.

As far as Middleborough are concerned, I would go with Nani, Tevez and Rooney (scorers in the 4-1 win at Old Trafford), maybe give Ronaldo a seat on the bench in case his services are required. I would also go with a 2-0 predicted win for United.

dont think Man Utd will have too many problems against Middlesbrough ....they are playing to well at the moment ... Fergie will rest Ronaldo and maybe Van Der Sar ..i guess a 2-0 win for Man Utd .

2-0 for me too, Someone like Fletcher or Park to grab a goal along with Tevez

We may have had the best defense in the league but we've now lost Vidic for 2-3 weeks so it's gonna be weakened now. But I do agree just one more goal is needed for us to through.

We may need the 5 point difference when we play the other big two in the league. So we have to keep winning. Lets hope some others can find their scoring boots if Ronaldo is rested.

Unfortunately Fletch is out for 6 weeks with an injury picked up playing in a pointless international friendly, and SAF is not very happy about it

Well scratch that Park & Tevez to score

would vidic be fit enough to play in this match?..

boro isn't just an ordinary team.. this's the team which'd beaten Gunners earlier.. very unpredictable..

fergie would probably use the common formation with some second-string players in the mid and def.. names like carrick or o'shea and kusczcak..

let me say my prediction.. 3-0 to my team.. hope it isn't too much..

yeah ....but we were not playing well that day . I dont see Middlesbrough doing anything unless Man Utd have a repeat of the Man City match .. i will be of course wishing for the worst for Man Utd ....

You are right, Vidic won't play (out for 2-3 weeks) so the defence is weakened. However, the attack isn't and United in their last two league games could easily have put 8 into both Villa and Liverpool, so 3-0 is easily within their remit

omigod.. two to three weeks?.. means he's gonna miss the cl match next wednesday too?..

then i edit my team.. supposed to be first team players except vidic.. besides we need to secure more points gap..

oh yeah.. of course.. you only lose when you're not playing well..

thanks for the wish.. but you know.. bad wishes never come true..

no you see ...for me that is a good wish ...

Roma could well and truely come back and snatch atleast a draw on aggregate. But Man U will probably go all out and go for the 3 points against Middlesbrough to maintain their lead on Chelsea and Arsenal. Which would you rather, the UEFA Champions League, or the EPL?.. i wouldnt be too wrong if i said Manchester would win both but what does everyone else think? Would you rather European Championship silverwear or EPL silverwear?

EPL will always be the priority for me. It tells you something about the character and consistency of a team in the most competitive football league in the world. The Champions League, in the later rounds, is a knock out cup competition and the winning team (not necessarily the best team) have to carry a lot of luck to win it. Liverpool have proved that recently. They have been nowhere near winning the EPL but seem to do reasonably well in cup competitions because they are just very fortunate with decisions going their way. I think their luck is about to run out this year, they are VERY VERY fortunate to STILL be in the competition, they should have been eliminated before the knock out stage. They also won the Intercontinental cup on the back of their Champions League win, and they were NOT even the best side in England, let alone Europe or the World.

This could well be a game were Man Utd may drop some points. I wouldnt write off Boro as they have done pretty well against the top 4. Mind me saying they Beat us at the Riverside and got a draw at the Emirates and also Drew to Liverpool at the Riverside after taking the lead and also took the lead at Anfield but lost 3-2. Last week they were very unlucky i felt as thye had plenty of opportunities to score against Chelsea but couldnt put it in the back of the net so i wouldnt write off Boro.

But in the real world Man Utd should win of course, and they really shouldnt have a hangover after there Easy win over Roma in Italy.

we shall wait and see?

mido haves a injury

Out for the year apparently. Hopefully Alves steps up, he shouldve scored at the bridge but he can make his mark this sunday. Aliadere also might be able to do the job as he scored against Utd earlier this year or last year. I cant remember.