Middlesbrough vs. Manchester United - Stroll in the Park

It was one of those ho-hum games but in a good way. It didn't lack for entertainment with both sides trying constantly to take it to the other. But United dominated from the word go and the Teesiders were quite resigned to their fate once the first goal went in. They may have to be resigned to life in the Championship too and no wonder based on this performance.

United rung the changes with Scholes and Giggs handed central midfield roles. I was a little surprised that a third member was not stationed alongside them to do the running or 'carry the water'. A little too much disdain for Middlesbrough, I think. Also a cue for Tuesday night that the golden fledlings of yore will not play. Good rotation for Park to start on the right and Macheda up front partnering Berbatov and Rooney on the left. Low pressure situation for the youngster with a weak defence in front of him and experienced forwards next to him.

Good solid passing by United was an omnipresent factor in the game and rather heart-warming. The team will have to reproduce such passing against superior opposition in Arsenal. The first goal, scored by Giggs, was a product of controlled passing around Borough's box. Giggs had so much time that he put his hand in the air, asked for the ball to be played to him, Berbatov had the time to see Giggs and backed out of the way. Giggs controlled and drove it into the right corner. Very, very poor defending by Middlesbrough that such a narrative can even be written.

United attacked constantly for the rest of the half and indeed the game but there were only 2 memorable points. One was Evra hoofing the ball into Rooney's quadrant rather optimistically, only for Rooney to trap it and roll it inside the defender with one touch. A remarkable piece of skill and one reminiscent of Zidane. The follow-up shot was threatening but kept rising. The second was a rather beautiful reverse ball by Rooney splitting the defence for Park to run onto diagonally. Good finish by the Korean and one that he should manage more often.

The one poor player of the day for me was Macheda. Petulant and tried to lash out at opponents with late tackles. To his credit, he didn't play act a la Monsieur Ronaldo (who got some good rest this weekend). Yet he tried too many flicks and turns in the box over the simple turn and layoff/shot. The kid seems promising but not much more to me. Here's hoping he proves me wrong. At the end of the day though, three points won and a clean sheet kept albeit against toothless opponents. Seven more points from the next 4 games and the Premier League trophy is secured for at least one more year.