SIR Alex Ferguson is facing up to a striker shortage going into the new year programme.
The Manchester United manager, 63 today, will be without three key front men in the coming games.
Wayne Rooney has joined injured pair Ruud van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha on the sidelines after admitting a charge of violent conduct.
He begins a three-match ban by sitting out the game at Middlesbrough tomorrow evening and also the league match with Tottenham as well as the FA Cup clash against non-league Exeter.
The young England player's absence leaves Ferguson with only one experienced striker in former Leeds star Alan Smith.
He could be partnered at the Riverside Stadium by Ronaldo, who replaced Rooney in the defeat of Aston Villa after he suffered a thigh injury.
The alternative choice is David Bellion. He has weighed in with four goals this season but has failed to get an extended run in the team.
Comfort
The main comfort for Ferguson while he weighs up his attacking options is that his team is in superb form, as are senior pros Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
United have won seven and drawn one of their last eight games, enabling the team to hang on to the coat-tails of Chelsea and Arsenal.
Giggs got the winner at Villa while Scholes took his tally to seven in the Boxing Day victory and both have an eye for goal at the moment, which is just what the team needs in the absence of so many strikers.
United are anxious to keep up the pressure at the top and go to Middlesbrough in good heart after beating Aston Villa.
Ferguson said: "We performed well at Villa, apart from the last 15 minutes when they threw everything but the kitchen sink at us.
"They have a very, energetic emerging team. But we showed a lot of character to get us through a tricky game.
"It will be much the same at Middlesbrough, although they have a far more experienced side than Villa."
England full-back Gary Neville should return after suffering a flu virus while Eric Djemba-Djemba is also expected to be available after suffering similar symptoms.
However Republic of Ireland defender John O'Shea will be out for up to two weeks with a thigh injury.
United (possible): Carroll, G Neville, Heinze, P Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Keane, Ronaldo, Scholes, Fletcher, Giggs.
Boro v United - the stats
Latest form
Boro: WDWLW
United: WDWWW
Head to head
Oct 3 2004 United 1 Boro 1
Feb 11 2004 United 2 Boro 3
Top scorers
Boro: Hasselbaink 8, Viduka 5, Job, Downing, 4
United: Scholes 7, Smith 5, Rooney, van Nistelrooy 4
Referee
Alan Wiley - one of the least experienced Premiership refs - this will only be his ninth top-flight game of the season
Key opponent
Mark Viduka - the bustling striker is a handful for any defence, and he raises his game for the big teams.
Prediction: 1-1
Do you agree? Have your say.
Comments
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Don't agree with the score prediction. Funnily enough, we might do better without Rooney because the other players will raise their games another notch in sympathy and out of a sense of injustice for him. 3-1 United to close the gap on Chelsea.
3-1 Is that the prediction for your beloved Leeds, you just gotta laugh, Eh.
Anyway onto a real team the only United, Manchester that is . Easy victory 2-0.
Much as I would be delighted with the Alias Smith 3-1 (to us!) forcast, this has 0-0 written all over it. Giggs and Scholes have got us out of jail recently but where are the forward's goals coming from at the moment?
We can`t afford to take this game lightly. Boro at home are a hard team to beat. Nevertheless think we`ll continue on our winning run. 2-1 victory United.
Alias will you stick with United if Leeds ever get promotion?Boro is a very hard game which we must win.
I dont know why Boro are bothering to turn up,seriously this is a massive game for United one which I hope they lose and theres every chance especially if the match officials play it fair.
No worries boys, DD's back. His speed, vision, creativity, brilliant passing,tackling and leadership will carry us through. Aren't we lucky.
It all depends on the team that SAF puts out but if he goes with Ron as centre forward and Bellion on the right this could be a great game. I'm sure we will win because at the moment we can't afford to lose. so I have to agree with someone else that 3-1 is on. This is no time for midfield experiments.
Perhaps we should try Gary Neville upfront after his goal in Fergie's 1000th he'll be up for it(joking)
Collectively the team can cope with the loss of Rooney,but Boro will be a stubborn foe and Mclaren plays his best game against us.We'll do well to win it; could be a time for Rio or Heinze to sterp forward!
Happy New Year to all you libel watching funsters at Pravda central, hope you've started all the celebrations and you might let the odd knickers dodgy comment get through bottoms. Cheeers, have a good one!
rio or heinze could produce a brakethrough and score a lucky goal like VIERA did for the ARSE. Close the gap!
Please! no midfield shake up! We NEEEEED this win! been dreading this match! come on!! no slip ups!!
Mel (yawn!) are you capable of original thought or are you (as it appears) a lemming who follows what you think are the "cool" members of the group around?
Frank and George I agree. I would like to wish a very bad new year to all the bitters and gooners and the FA.
Happy New Year to Manchester and all our supporters round the Globe.
This could be an opportunity for some of the 'fringe players' to show how well they can perform and score a couple of goals each over the next 3 games!
HAPPY NEW YEAR To all MEN!!!
Mary;I wish all ARSENAL,POOL,CITY,CHELSEA supporters a happy new year,and remenber you can be happy without winning anything!Sticking my neck out 3-2 to UTD,but hoping for 6-0.