ON a night when there was so much talk of burying the hatchet, all that mattered to United was the shot that Dimitar Berbatov buried into the back of the net.

And that’s saying something considering Emanuel Pogatetz seemed more interested in burying his fist in Cristiano Ronaldo’s throat.

Despite Sir Alex Ferguson’s call for a truce with regard to the recent enmity between United and Middlesbrough, a match that simmered on the pitch threatened to erupt down the tunnel at half time.

Pogatetz and Ronaldo – both key figures in recent rows between the clubs – argued all the way to the dressing rooms.

The Portuguese international – accused of diving in the past by Gareth Southgate - was infuriated by a roughhouse challenge from Pogatetz following a corner late on in the first half.

The Middlesbrough man has previous – having inflicted a deep gash on the shin of Rodrigo Possebon in United’s Carling Cup victory at Old Trafford in September.

Ronaldo though was more concerned about being decapitated than a mere cut to his leg. And after tensions spilled over in the tunnel, it seems Ferguson’s seasonal wish of making peace with Boro, will be delayed at least until United travel to the Riverside later in the season.

But that will have been the least of the United manager’s concerns as another game ticked by with his side flattering to deceive.

Despite pounding Boro with wave upon wave of attack from the outset, a series of wasted opportunities threatened to see United frustrated once again and hand Liverpool a significant psychological boost heading into 2009.

Guilty

That was until Berbatov’s intervention on 69 minutes, following good work from Michael Carrick and Ji-Sung Park.

It was Carrick’s eventual cross that bounced invitingly for Berbatov all of six yards out and the Bulgarian hammered home only his third league goal of the season.

You might say he couldn’t miss. But having seen some of the other opportunities that went begging, anything was possible in an all too familiar display from United.

Indeed the ill-feeling at half time will have had as much to do with Boro’s heavy-handedness as United’s charity in front of goal.

Ferguson is growing concerned by the number of chances his side are missing and they were guilty once again of profligacy.

Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Rafael and Michael Carrick might all have scored in the first half only to see chances go begging.

Had Alfonso Alvez or Tuncay taken second half openings then Boro might have added to the unlikeliest of records at Old Trafford.

The Teessiders have lost on only one of their previous five league visits to United – and even if they had failed to win in their last seven going into last night’s clash, Southgate’s side were hardly the ideal opponents in a match the champions simply had to win.

Ferguson’s desire to be within "a handful of points" of leaders Liverpool come the turn of the year rendered any slip up last night unthinkable.

But following goalless draws with Aston Villa and Tottenham in recent weeks, not to mention narrow wins against Sunderland and Stoke, another night of frustration looked to be on the cards.

Even after Berbatov struck his crucial goal, Park missed a chance from within a yard of the goal line that simply beggared belief.

But following the 10-point gap that Liverpool opened over United during the festive period, victory was all that mattered last night.

Margins

Not that Ferguson won’t be wondering how to resolve his problems in front of goal.

His side should have been out of sight by half time.

Ronaldo wasted United’s best chance of the opening half when latching onto Rooney’s cross on 22 minutes.

The Portuguese international had fired narrowly wide of goal with the keeper beaten early on in the half. But while he was unfortunate to see that initial effort miss the target, he could not bemoan his luck on this occasion, firing wide from all of six yards.

Other chances came and went too – Ronaldo firing straight at Turnbull after a promising break from Rooney and Berbatov, and Rafael also missing the target with the keeper in no man’s land.

It was only by fine margins, but a touch too many here and a loose pass there all too often undermined impressive passages of play from United.

It has been that way for much of the season, and their problems were perfectly summed up when Berbatov’s delightful flick sent Rooney away 10 minutes before the break.

The England striker should have finished off a swift move, but instead chose to cross to no one in particular. The ball eventually found its way to Carrick, who laboured over his shot, which was eventually deflected wide.

But Rooney was unfortunate just before the break when forcing a tremendous fingertip save.

United fared little better in the second half with Park forcing a save and Ronaldo firing wide until Berbatov found the breakthrough.

There were still opportunities to give the scoreline a more realistic reflection, but for Park’s staggering miss and an air shot from Berbatov when found 12 yards out by Rooney.