FA Cup preview: Boro v United

March 09, 2007

Dong Fangzhuo

CHINESE youngster Dong Fangzhuo has been called into the Manchester United squad for the first time ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough.

Although the 22-year-old striker is unlikely to play at the Riverside, with Henrik Larsson due to leave next week and Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer both out injured until end of the month, Dong will probably be on the bench against Bolton next week.

Sir Alex Ferguson reported the injuries to Saha (hamstring) and Darren Fletcher (ankle) are not quite as bad as had originally been indicated. But his selection options will be limited as the Red Devils look to book a semi-final spot.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has been handed a double injury boost ahead of the game.

Midfielders Julio Arca (dead leg) and Lee Cattermole (knee) were both doubtful, but have been declared fit to face United.

Brazilian midfielder Fabio Rochemback is also back in contention after a groin strain, while Robert Huth (foot) got 45 minutes under his belt for the reserves in midweek.

Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Jones, Davies, Taylor, Abel Xavier, Parnaby, Hines, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Boateng, Arca, Cattermole, Downing, Morrison, Euell, Rochemback, Yakubu, Viduka, Christie, Lee.

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Heaton, Neville, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, O'Shea, Evra, Heinze, Park, Ronaldo, Carrick, Giggs, Richardson, Rooney, Smith, Larsson, Dong.

Key opponent: Jonathan Woodgate - With United short on strikers, if Woodgate plays to his potential the Reds will have a hard time scoring

Prediction: Boro 0 United 1

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

You can get 6/1 on United winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

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edinburgh red, edinburgh (09/03/2007 at 14:10)

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I dont think with our squad limitations we can win this if we rest players, so it pain's me to say but I think we will possibly get beat, out of all the games we have coming up this is by far the only one I dont mind losing(though it will be through gritted teeth,especially after southgate and his team talking themselves up)if we have to lose one, though if chelsea also go out we will have to face them sooner in the league which will be disasterous.

Demo, Glossop (09/03/2007 at 14:48)

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Not gonna be an easy one. We always struggle against Boro. I would like to see Dong come on for at least the last 15 to 20 mins. I think we should rest a few as well. My line up would be KK, GH, NV, RF, GN, JSP, MC, JOS, CR, WR, AS may as well give giggs a bit more of a rest if we can, or start him and bring him off after we have done the business. This is our least important competition but its quite important in getting the chavski match rearranged - which would be a big help

Demo, Glossop (09/03/2007 at 14:50)

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Might be a nice chance to see heaton actually and drop rooney into the hole instead of JOS and start with larsson as well.

Utd-For-Life, marseille ex-stretford (09/03/2007 at 15:18)

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i suspect Giggs will be playing up front alongside rooney, with smith coming on sometime in the second half. Nice to see that fergie is looking to bring Dong into the squad. park and ronaldo on the wings and the rest of the team picks itself.

Macca, Cornwall (09/03/2007 at 15:42)

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no need to rest anybody, they will have a weeks rest after this game. Our strongest team must be played otherwise we wont win - simple as. id start with VDS,GN,RF,NV,PE,CR,MC,RG,JSP,AS,WR. As someone said, it is worth winning just for the fact that we will play chelsea later in the league, may as well give dong a run out it we are winning comfortably.

Birdy, Ireland (09/03/2007 at 15:53)

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Will be interesting to see how Dong does if he gets a run, but when did 22 year olds get called youngsters? Bit old for that description i'd have thought!

saha rocks, work (09/03/2007 at 15:54)

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Team will probably be this: Van der Sar; Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, O'Shea, Carrick, Giggs; Rooney, Larsson. SUBS: Kuszczak, Brown, Park, Richardson, Smith. Make no mistake, Sir Alex wants to go to Wembley so that's the best side he can field. I'm assuming Evra's fit which will allow Sir Alex to leave Heinze out again!

de Meester, netherlands (09/03/2007 at 16:44)

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Thankfully Fangzhou will very likey be needed!
If Middlsboro have a 'full squad' to choose from it should be a walk in the park!
Of course I am joking, but let's just get on with it.
On the striker front think it'll be Henke and Smith to start and keeping Roo and CR with Dong Fangzhou on the bench, with any defender not starting.
Think will be Kuszcak; Wes @ RB with Heinze at LB will start, O'S,Giggsy in CM and the wonder Richardson will probably feature w J-S Park on the other wing.
Then again it'kll be total different XI!!

de Meester, netherlands (09/03/2007 at 17:02)

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Birdy, Ireland
Agree with you there.
Is 22yr young ot old??!
I would reckon 17-19 so!
PSV had a 19 yr old the other night, going to be one of the best - Ibrahim Affelay; now that's a young(ster)!!
Hop we don't draw tomorrow!I'd rather we lose!
Still, Come On You Reeedss!!

Balders, Halifax (09/03/2007 at 17:19)

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i think saha rocks has nailed the team it should be ! - depending on Evra's injury. IMO, Gaby will play. Larsson is a 100% nailed on starter (as don't matter now if he got injured)with smudge making another cameo ... hopefully !

seasider, blackpool (09/03/2007 at 17:27)

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If we can only beat Boro once more this season, I'd sooner it was at home in the league in April. But we'll do them tomorrow. Comfortably.

Gerry, Glastonbury (09/03/2007 at 17:38)

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I think there is a case for starting with Smith and giving him as long as possible on the pitch. Larsson is going so Smith's match fitness is more important to us at the present time. If one was honest Larsson really hasn't contributed very much in his last 3 or 4 games? He can be brought on when Smith tires.
Rooney should be given the opportunity to play just behind the front man, perhaps we'll see the real Rooney then? Who knows Smith & Rooney could be a really good combo - certainly very competitive, and we'll need that in the next 3 games.
Nice to hear Sir Alex say that Saha's injury isn't as bad as first thought!!!!!!!!

Alias Smith, over the moon (09/03/2007 at 19:32)

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Gerry, good point re Smith. I would in fact start with Smith and Larsson, give Rooney a chance to put his knee up - he can come on if needed. I reckon Park should start, although JOS has made a good case for a starting spot IMO.

Pepe (10/03/2007 at 01:04)

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Mr. Larsson will say goodbye and thanks to all of us with the winning goal.

Demo, Glossop (10/03/2007 at 16:43)

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A prediction for todays game is united 2 boro 1. I think its wayne and smiths night. They can be a tough opponent but i feel now southgate is manager we can have the mastery over them

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