Manchester United 1 Middlesbrough 1

THE title race took another twist as Boro deservedly avoided defeat for the fifth time in six years at Old Trafford, writes GORDON COX.

The Boro line-up showed just one change from the side beaten by Liverpool on Wednesday, with Mark Viduka, now over a virus, replacing James Morrison,

Sir Alex Ferguson made four changes from the side which beat Sheffield United. Edwin Van der Sar replaced Tomasz Kuszczak, Rio Ferdinand replaced Patrice Evra, Kieran Richardson came in for Ryan Giggs and John O'Shea replaced Darren Fletcher.

There was a late replacement of the referee as Chris Foy, who refereed the game between the two at the Riverside, was unwell this morning and was replaced by Northampton official Peter Walton.

United made a bright start with Cristiano Ronaldo involved in most good things and Boro standing off him unless absolutely necessary.

It took just three minutes for United to take the lead as Paul Scholes played a long ball over the top, Jonathan Woodgate had pushed up but Wayne Rooney sprang the offside trap and was left with Mark Schwarzer to beat as he entered the penalty area. He rounded him but it was Kieran Richardson who tucked in from the edge of the six-yard box.

Boro settled and backed by their fans, who stood defiantly in the face of celebrations going on around them to sing "We support our local team", tried to hit back.

Viduka fell under challenge from Ferdinand on the edge of the United penalty area and looked most put out when no free-kick was given, then Yakubu first wasted possession with a lazy pass then sliced horribly wide from a similar position on the edge of the United box.

The expected United onslaught hadn't materialised. Yakubu, strong, turned and held off Ferdinand midway inside the home team half before losing possession. Fabio Rochemback was kicked on the top of his head by Scholes as they both contested a loose ball and a couple of minutes after returning to action the Brazilian hit the United wall with a 25-yard free-kick following another infringement.

To be fair to United they had the lead and with Tuesday's Champions League game in mind they perhaps didn't need to be flat out. But they were kept up to their work by a determined Boro side, who broke swiftly with 27 minutes played through Yakubu.

A strong run took him to the edge of the United box and a goalbound shot was deflected off Wes Brown for a corner.

More possession took Stewart Downing into the United penalty area, but with options to his right his cross was turned behind for a corner by the first man.

With players of the ability of Ronaldo, Richardson, Rooney and Alan Smith, United looked dangerous each time they broke, but this was a well disciplined performance from Boro, with Jonathan Woodgate and Emanuel Pogatetz complemented by Andrews Davies and Taylor.

On the stroke of half-time Boro deservedly drew level when Downing swung over a perfect cross from the left and Mark Viduka powered in to head home from the edge of the six-yard box.

A gamble by the United bench to try and keep a clearly incapacitated Ferdinand on until half-time had backfired in spectacular fashion.

Half-time: Manchester United 1 Middlesbrough 1

Sir Alex made two changes during the break, both enforced as Ferdinand (groin) and Richardson (hamstring) were replaced by Fletcher and Giggs, with O'Shea moving to central defence from midfield.

But it was Boro who created the first chance of the second half as Viduka turned brilliantly and with just Van der Sar to beat hit a low shot at the United goalkeeper.

The game had really opened up, swinging from end to end with Boro giving as good as they got and Van der Sar had to dive at the feet of Yakubu as the Nigerian striker stole in behind the United rearguard.

Just as they had in the FA Cup tie here just over a month ago, Boro had come out determined after the break and were the better side.

They passed and moved, were patient with the final ball and may have had a penalty when Gabriel Heinze clumsily tackled Cattermole.

Sir Alex had seen enough and readied Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but it was the Boro fans who were enjoying their day.

The United manager had long since vacated his seat in the dugout to take his place in the technical area alongside assistant Carlos Queiroz and Cattermole almost gave them food for thought when curling an excellent effort inches wide from 23 yards.

With 71 minutes played Solskjaer ran alongside Schwarzer as he took a goal kick. As the Boro goalkeeper released the ball to kick, the striker dispossessed him and ran on to put the ball in the net. But the 'goal' was disallowed and the Norwegian shown the yellow card.

United had stepped up their game, saw plenty possession and Rooney lobbed just wide and was inches away with a fizzing low drive from just over 25 yards.

Morrison had been waiting around four minutes to enter the fray, but hurried activity on the Boro bench got a message to Gareth Southgate and when the change came it was Dong Gook Lee who replaced Yakubu.

Solskjaer and Carrick were off target as United, looking a little tired, desperately looked to enhance their title ambitions.

But Boro should have been handed a chance to dent them severely when Lee was brought down inside the penalty area by O'Shea, but incredibly no penalty was given.

With seconds remaining Davies fouled Ronaldo out wide and before the free-kick could be taken a missile containing fluid was thrown at the Boro defender, the incident taking place not far from where another United fan had thrown an object at Morrison late in the cup-tie.

The free-kick came in low and hard and a corner was conceded. That was cleared and the cheer from the Boro fans at the final whistle will have been matched and bettered several fold in West London.

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Brown, Heinze, Ferdinand (Capt) (Fletcher 46), Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Rooney, O'Shea, Smith (Solskjaer 66), Richardson (Giggs 46). Unused subs: Kuszczak (gk); Eagles.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer; Davies, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor, Cattermole, Boateng (Capt), Rochemback, Downing, Viduka, Yakubu (Lee 80). Unused subs: Jones (gk); Huth, Morrison, Johnson.

Referee: Peter Walton, Northampton.

Bookings

Manchester United: Scholes, 44, foul on Rochemback; Solskjaer, 72, foot up.

Middlesbrough: Boateng 35, persistent misconduct; Rochemback, 42, foul on Rooney; Yakubu, 50, persistent misconduct; Cattermole, 76, foul on Heinze.

Attendance: 75,967

Conditions: Warm and sunny.

Website Boro Man of the Match: Emanuel Pogatetz