Premier League Middlesbrough vs Man United Sat 2nd May 12.45

Middlesbrough vs Man United 12.45

Boro fans will be cheered by the knowledge that they beat Liverpool at the Riverside last month and drew with Arsenal before Christmas. Boro will also be relieved that 2 stalwarts of the Manchester United defence – Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville - are almost certain to be out. Gareth Southgate has also called on the fans to get behind the team and help them maintain the Riverside’s status as an unpenetrable fortress in 2009.

However despite the news about Ferdinand and Neville and lthough it is true that the Red Devils have played about 1000 matches this season and will almost certainly look to rest some of the big names ready for Tuesday’s Champions’ League semi final against Arsenal, even a second tier Manchester United is unbelievably formidable and will probably be too much for Boro.