JUST how important Wayne Rooney’s second half strike will be when all is said and done remains to be seen.
On the day it was good enough to earn United a point and extend their lead over Chelsea to three.
But having gone into the weekend with a five-point advantage at the top, both Sir Alex Ferguson and Avram Grant will know the title race is wide open once again.
United still have crucial games against Arsenal next week and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge – and with Nemanja Vidic out for up three weeks and Rio Ferdinand limping off in the second half at the Riverside, there could yet be another twist this season.
Ferguson, however, may look back on this match as a crucial point gained rather than two lost when the curtain falls on the season.
He warned that every match from here on in was make or break – and if not for some timely saves from Edwin van der Sar, he could well have been heading away from Teesside empty handed.
Now is not the time for jitters, but after seeing United’s Champions League hopes dashed by a spate of injuries to his defence last season, Ferguson will be concerned at how a Vidic-less rearguard looked distinctly suspect.
Alves scored either side of half time, while Tuncay may have joined him if not for Van der Sar as United looked as shaky at the back as they have all season.
Any repeats next week are sure to be punished by even an out of sorts Arsenal side, not to mention Roma in midweek.
Defence, however, looked like it wouldn’t be an issue as Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 37th goal of the season to give United an early lead.
The game was only 10 minutes old when, from a Ryan Giggs corner, Michael Carrick squared to the Portuguese winger, who had lost his man and fired home from close range.
It looked like it would be a straightforward afternoon for United, who looked menacing with every attack and it was all Middlesbrough could do to stay in contention.
But slowly Gareth Southgate’s side worked their way back into the match and on 35 minutes Jeremie Alliadiere’s knock down found Alves who made no mistake with just the keeper to beat.
United thought they had a decent penalty shout when Ronaldo’s effort was charged down by the arm of Andrew Taylor, only for referee Mike Riley to wave away protests.
And Fergie’s side were stunned after the break when Alves grabbed a deserved second on 56 minutes, this time showing a great touch to take him into the box before another unnerving finish.
With United staring at defeat Ferguson rang the changes, bringing on Owen Hargreaves, Ji Sung Park and Gerard Pique for the injured Ferdinand.
It had the desired effect with Park proving instrumental in Rooney’s equaliser, with a low cross on 74 minutes, which the England striker gratefully seized.
With United chasing the winner, they might have been stunned with an injury time sucker punch as Tuncay rounded Wes Brown, only to be denied by Van der Sar.
Had it been Alves again, it could have been a very different story.
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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
A Mancunian, Manchester (06/04/2008 at 15:49)
spencertea, Brussels (06/04/2008 at 15:50)
Hilal Sued, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (06/04/2008 at 15:52)
Don’t start anything – it’s just a stumble. As you know Man Utd often appear shaky when they meet bottom placed teams – but not the giants. It’s quite different with the heavyweights – the Gooners for example.
We have to accept the draw even though Chelsea will be celebrating. I’m sure the players have got the message which also means that from now on SAF must be very careful on his line-ups.
However I still have this inkling that the cup is ours.
Thanx Rooney for the point --which I believe will be the one to give us the trophy.
BrewDevil, Clemson,USA (06/04/2008 at 15:54)
Red Dawn (06/04/2008 at 15:57)
Then, he takes Tevez off, leaving Giggs on, when it should have been Giggs off, leaving Tevez on, as he would have offered far more inside the final third.
The game should have been put to bed in the first half anyway, when we were well in control. We were denied a clear-cut penalty, and that tackle that went unpunished on Evra was disgraceful.
With very tough games against Arsenal at home, and Chelsea and Blackburn away, I fear we've blown it. Add the injuries to our defence into the equation and it doesn't make the outlook any better.
Lets face it, John O'Shea was shocking today and should be booted out the door in the summer, as Sunderland is the only club for him.
Roy (06/04/2008 at 15:57)
I expect many of the comments to repeat what has been said on here for the last few weeks such as the best Vidic replacement and will the real Ryan Giggs show up this season.
For me, this is a point won: after Utd were 2:1 down I didn't see where another goal would come from. Park did well and so did Utd to come back.
With the loss of the central defence pairing it is like last season all over again.
One suggestion: without Saha and Tevez blowing hot and cold, Utd need an out-and-out striker on the bench - even a 17-year-old.
COLIN,, Canada (06/04/2008 at 15:57)
manu xpert (06/04/2008 at 16:02)
Paul (06/04/2008 at 16:03)
Paul (06/04/2008 at 16:03)
Ffion&Karl Kent (06/04/2008 at 16:06)
Rooney what a star!!
Barry Lee, USA (06/04/2008 at 16:08)
With the ball at his feet and a simple pass to Evra on the cards he gave it straight to a Boro player and 2 passes later they were level. After they had gone up 2-1 another wayward pass led to Ferdinands desperate clearance during which he injured himself. Thank you Ryan Giggs. To leave him on the field and take off Tevez just shows how bereft of ideas Ferguson now is. Giggs was having a woeful game. We get a free kick in the first 5 minutes, Giggs plays it straight to a Boro player. 5 minutes from time Ronaldo gets tripped, we get a free kick on the ege of the box, get everyone in there and Giggs plays it to a Boro player. Ferguson either can't see how bad he is or he sees it but plays him anyway. I've been saying all season that playing him will cost us and today it did. Ferguson and Giggs need to retire at the end of the season regardless of what we win if anything.
manu xpert (06/04/2008 at 16:11)
Lord Ruud (06/04/2008 at 16:16)
To be fair to SAF he picked a stronger line-up than I expected which was a good sign, but without Vidic we suffered with the long ball. Ferdinand looked like he was carrying something from the start, O'Shea was poor and so was Brown. Without VDS this may have been even worse in places.
The lack of width was a problem today but thought Hargreaves (as he did in Rome) offered a good threat along with Park when they came on.
Chelsea have the easy run in on paper but if we go to their place having won against Arsenal and Blackburn we'll be 3 pts ahead and kind grind out a draw if needed.
We must now keep this 3 pt buffer till we meet them. Hopefully this performance will give our boys a kick up the backside.
MJW, New York City (06/04/2008 at 16:17)
Ffion&Karl Kent (06/04/2008 at 16:20)
Red Lou, Malta (06/04/2008 at 16:21)
bobbydazzler (06/04/2008 at 16:23)
we have goalscoring options everywhere.
we dont need another forward Take a look at the bench for the umpteenth time when we have needed a forward to bring on we have not been able to do so.
ryan giggs can play the inside forward role to a good standard.
just some of the recent pronouncements from mistra know it all.
2 points surrendered because we didnt have options and we played with only 9 men and worst of all for a large part of the game we were 2nd best because boro wanted it more than us.
Gerry, Glastonbury (06/04/2008 at 16:31)
Ronaldo and Scholes were brilliant but a few too many below par performances.
We played some great stuff today but our defence and Borough's will made sure we were always looking over our shoulders.
This was Borough's cup final and possibly their best performance of the season.
skh,pj, Malaysia (06/04/2008 at 16:31)
skh,pj, Malaysia (06/04/2008 at 16:39)
David,North M/C (06/04/2008 at 16:41)
Johnny Smith (06/04/2008 at 16:43)
This result IS A DISGRACE!
In the context of things we will say good result but its not a good result,is it?, lets not kid ourselves
1. To go 1 nil up against Middlesborough and not finish them.
2. To NOT be able to Dominate a team like middlesborough.
You know it really gets to me when ppl say, Chelsea AND United have such strength and depth in their squads, no they dont, CHELSEA do, not united.
FERGUSON - WHAT IS HE DOING?
Starting Giggs - I feel sorry for Giggsy.
Y start with him? Hes 34, now he is in the twighlight of his career. He gives away possesion which leads to their goal, it was a good ball up to J.A but Giggs did give the ball away too easily.
AND WHAT THE HELL IS FERGUSON DOING HAVING A GO AT GIGGS FOR? - when Park chested the ball down towards Giggs towards the end. U should have taken him off FERGUSON! Its your fault!! Hes 34 and your playing him the entire match expecting to him find sth extra with 80+ mins on the clock. Have u not been seeing what is so blatantly obvious??!!
Regardless that Tevez wasnt havin the best of games he wasnt havin a complete nightmare either, he should stay on NOT Giggs.
Makes me laugh when i listen to the people talkin about how great a side United are
FACT IS - When United have their 1st 11 available their a very good side NOT A GREAT one. We r SO LUCKY we have Ronaldo.
SCHOLES - hes getting to slow
Still can offer something but for how long?
AGAIN - Wes Brown - exposed. Squad player - thats what he should be.Decent cover thats it.
O-Shea- average,very average player.
The fact is we went 1nil up in this game we should have ceased the day,and Ferdinand wouldnt have got injured, stretching becoz we were all over the place.
Oh yeah and frm what i have seen of PIQUE- he certainly dont look promising
cr07, manchester (06/04/2008 at 16:55)
chris spence, Altrincham (06/04/2008 at 16:57)