JONNY Evans is convinced United are set to make their customary New Year dash for the title.
The champions head into tonight's clash with Middlesbrough some 10 points behind leaders Liverpool - but with three games in hand.
And after returning from the World Club Cup with a hard-fought win at Stoke on Boxing Day, Evans is convinced that another three points against Boro will leave United perfectly poised to start a concerted assault in the second half of the season.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side have struggled for consistency up to the midway stage, with injuries to key players as well as postponements disrupting their defence of the title.
But United have made an art out of coming good after Christmas and Evans expects it to be no different in 2009.
"We identified that we needed to get three points against Stoke and then three against Middlesbrough," said the Northern Ireland international. "We know that would send us into the New Year in a great position.
"We've been concentrating on these two games and hopefully we can come away with six points from both of them.
"At one stage against Stoke I thought it was going to be another draw for us. Teams are defending very well against us this season.
Advantage
"But the one thing that United have always been about over the years is fighting to the death and keeping on creating chances. Thankfully Carlos Tevez was there at the end for us."
Middlesbrough is United's last game in the Premier League before taking a break for the FA Cup against Southampton on Sunday.
They were handed a psychological advantage with Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all failing to win while Ferguson's side were on World Club Cup duty in Japan.
But Liverpool's back-to-back wins against Bolton and Newcastle over Christmas means any slip-up from United now would hand the momentum right back to Rafa Benitez' side.
Evans is expected to carry on in place of Rio Ferdinand tonight after theEngland defender injured his back in the warm-up at Stoke.
Elsewhere Ferguson has a decision to make in attack following Tevez' winning goal on Boxing Day.
The Argentine was set to be substituted before his strike, but may have done enough to earn another start, leaving it between Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov for the other place in the forward line.
Berbatov hasn't started since the goal-less draw with Tottenham earlier this month, but with only one goal in his last 10 appearances, could find himself on the bench again.
Boro defender David Wheater is set to return to the Boro starting line-up after sitting through his side’s Boxing Day defeat to Everton on the bench.
Gareth Southgate has a number of other options and may also choose to give Brazilian striker Afonso Alves a start after his forward line’s laboured display against the Toffees.
But the game will definitely come too soon for French midfielder Didier Digard who failed a test on his groin injury prior to the Everton game and has now been ruled out until the new year.
Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Amos, Neville, Vidic, O’Shea, Evans, Rafael, Ronaldo, Anderson, Giggs, Park, Carrick, Nani, Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson, Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez, Welbeck.
Middlesbrough (from): Turnbull, Jones, McMahon, Taylor, Grounds, Pogatetz, Huth, Wheater, Bates, Hines, Williams, Arca, Walker, Downing, Johnson, O’Neil, Aliadiere, Tuncay, Alves, Mido, Emnes.
United league form: DWWDW
Boro league form: DLDLL
Key opponent: Stewart Downing - a dangerous weapon down the left
Prediction: United 2 Boro 0 - The Reds have been struggling of late but should have too much for Boro. An early goal could see a bigger scoreline.
Agree with the prediction? Have your say.
You can get 17/1 on United winning 4-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click
here.
Preview: United v Boro
December 29, 2008
Comments
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any score will do as it's 3 points. I would like us to play well though and start looking like the United of old!Perhaps Ron can shine?
Gerry, I have a feeling we are about to engage third gear for almost the first time this season. Which should mean we'll see off Boro without too much drama. Can see us conceding though, with a likely back four of Rafael, Evans, Vida and JOS.
Expect some heavy tackles from Boro.However I am expecting at least 3.0 against such inferior opposition with a manager that is still not qualified.
Gerry, I am in full agreement with you. The three points is far more important than the score line.
However, as we are playing our games in hand over Liverpool I would like to see us bang in a few goals to start opening up a good goal difference between the two teams.
Chelsea have a very good goal difference at the moment and it would be nice to narrow that down over the three games in hand if possible.
But it is hard to ask for goals when all I really want is the three points on offer.
UNITED can beat boro. I just hope the ref is alert to the Boro tackling which is getting more desperate and dangerous as the season progresses.
BIG GAME LADS
Just been on the scouse web site (it's OK I've been dissinfected) and according to chaverpool we may as well drop the trophy off down the East Lancs tonight.
Watched some of their game yesterday and, yes they played well ( wow - that was diffcult to admit!!), but the Newcastle back four were to defending what Harry Hill is to comedy!!
Watch Boro. tonight - it will be another Stoke City repeat with all their players behind the ball making last ditch tackles.
We need another big performance and I think the team might not be too different from Boxing day. hopefully an early goal will open the game up but if not I'll take an injury time 1 - 0.
We also need a great atmosphere - see you at 'Stella corner' before the game!!
By the way has anybody else noticed how much the press are getting onto Wayne & Ronny? the anti-United press conspirancy continues - notice how many Boro. 'afters' there will be tonight!!
COME ON YOU REDS!!!
Offerton Robbo;Stoke singled out R&R for treatment.If they don't get protected they're going to get frustrated and show signs of losing it.Bestie got sent as did the lawman and it was mainly due to retaliation of unpunished offences.I'd like to see players who can score from 30 yards out in our team tonight.Let's have a pop at goal and if it doesn't go in directly we'll be in for a 50/50 from the ricochets.
Your Right George
You are right george about singling out R&R - it's just so frustrating for the lads - they take up to 20 niggling tackles - any of which could injure the lads. One retaliation and the press are straight on their backs.
We really need some kind of protection for our lads if we are going to keep everybody available.
The only thing I think we are perhaps missing is the Keano influence - that is someone out there who simply takes no prisoners if things are getting too physical - that is where we are currently missing Hargreaves.
If you are in the school playground, and you report the school bully to the teacher/authorites, then they have a duty to protect you from any hurt. Certainly, that much would be expected. If you didn't have that protection, then surely one could sympathise a little, if you ended up taking things into your own hands? No doubt the referee will have Rooney and Ronaldo's recent reactions in mind, but it's imperative that he gets a grip from the first minute, because if he doesn't, then animals like Pogatetz will get away with incidents such as that challenge on Possebon (not the first time he injured someone, btw). SAF stated that relations between the two clubs had soured in recent seasons, so there's every chance it could be a hostile affair. Hopefully they'll get through this one without injury (and a win, of course!!).
I am worried about the match tonight. Johnny "boy" Evans especially worries me. If he plays like he did at Stoke then we will be in trouble tonight. He was all over the place at Stoke and the Fool Ricardo Fuller gave him a hard time.
Cant see Boro causing UNITED any problems other than doing what most lesser teams are doing this season(ten men behind ball)
Red Culture, Jonny Evans is class, so give the boy a chance. You can't expect a 20-year-old CB to come in and play like an experienced old timer. Don't forget the mighty 'Rio' (as I believe he's known), until his mid-to-late 20s, was generally more Bramble than Baresi.
Ps Arsene Wenger, for one, would kill for a composed young defender like Jonny Boy.