United 1 Middlesbrough 0
The year 2008 has been good to United. And while this may not have been the most glamorous way to round it all off, it was a wholly one-sided victory which suggests that trophies are very much there to be won in 2009.
United ended the match just shy of 30 attempts on goal, compared with half a dozen half-chances for Middlesbrough, who held on until the second half, but were merely delaying the inevitable.
Dimitar Berbatovs poked volley earned the breakthrough with 20 minutes to go in a match that saw enough chances to win several football matches - which may be of slight concern to Sir Alex. Most importantly, however, United pecked away at Liverpools lead, which now stands at seven points, with two games in hand.
Sir Alex, as expected at this time of year, shuffled his pack. Rafael came in for Gary Neville, Michael Carrick replaced Paul Scholes, Ji-sung Park stepped in for Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov was favoured over Uniteds match-winner three days earlier at the Britannia Stadium, Carlos Tevez, who was rested completely.
The Reds started the night three matches behind the title rivals, but an imposing ten-point deficit on league leaders Liverpool, who put five past Newcastle at the weekend. Uniteds task, therefore, was laid out in simple terms win, no matter in what fashion but its rarely that straightforward against a Middlesbrough team with a penchant for raising their game against the Reds.
The Christmas period has been relatively kind to United, with Liverpool and Chelsea both dropping points while the Reds were away conquering the world. And the determination to follow-up a hard-fought 1-0 win over Stoke was clearly evident in the opening moments of a chilly late December encounter at Old Trafford.
Rooney tested Ross Turnbulls resolve after just five minutes, with a shot that the Boro goalkeeper palmed away. Seconds later Ronaldos jinking turn and cross forced another intervention from the Boro stopper. On 15 minutes the Reds wingers free-kick, left of the area and 25 yards from goal, fizzed wide, while a second, deflected Ronaldo set-piece worried Turnbull as he tracked its rerouted flight into his arms.
It took Boro until midway through the half to register an effort on goal. A smart feint from Afonso Alves evaded Rafael and Nemanja Vidics attentions, but his shot was high and wide. United immediately countered with a neat one-two between Berbatov and Rooney allowing the Englishman to cut the ball back for Ronaldo. Unfortunately his left-foot shot went the wrong side of the post.
Ronaldo, Rafael and Carrick all had shots blocked inside the area, while Vidic sent a header crashing wide, infusing frustration if plenty of action to warm a chilled Old Trafford crowd, with a feeling that Middlesbrough were there for the taking.
Rooney had Uniteds last and possibly closest - opportunity before the half remarkably ended goalless. Ronaldos glancing header found his team-mate surging down the right channel, and Rooneys first-time left-foot volley forced a fingertip save from Turnbull.
The second half started at a much slower pace, with chances far less forthcoming. The tempo of Uniteds game appeared to slow, too, which is why Sir Alex introduced Paul Scholes into midfield in place of Fletcher. Gary Neville also came on for Rafael, but not before Tuncay had sent a diving header agonisingly close to goal.
United immediately stepped it up a gear. Park went on a surging run from midfield and forced Turnbull into yet another save, before Scholesy miscued one of his speciality first-time volleys from the resulting corner.
Seconds later Ronaldo rediscovered his shooting form as another strike was drilled past the post. United were well in the ascendancy and it was no surprise that the long-awaited, long-overdue breakthrough came on 69 minutes. Carricks cross, after good work from Park, pinballed around in the area before Berbatov poked the ball home. Like a pressure cooker, the sudden release of tension was palpable.
United could, and certainly, should have added to the tally just minutes later when Nevilles cross left Park with just the keeper to beat from five yards and he somehow contrived to lift his shot over the bar. It was a shame as the Koreans outstanding contribution all night had warranted a goal.
Chances continued to come for the Reds. Park twice sent shots wide, while Carricks curling effort went narrowly over. Tuncay had United hearts in mouths as his overhead kick struck a post deep into injury time, but he was ruled offside and for United victory was secured.
