Source: SKY_Sports
Middlesbrough v Man Utd preview
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is set to ring the changes for his side's clash with Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Saturday.[LNB] The Premier League champions take a slim 1-0 lead to Arsenal on Tuesday for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie and Ferguson is keen to make sure his top players stay fresh.[LNB]The Red Devils have learnt from the harsh lessons of two years ago when they were dumped out of the Champions League at the last-four stage by AC Milan following a 3-0 second-leg defeat at the San Siro.[LNB]United had taken a 3-2 lead to Italy but with the club also challenging for Premier League honours, Ferguson fielded a full-strength side in a 4-2 win over Everton, just a few days before the fateful return leg against the Rossoneri.[LNB]The 67-year-old has a bigger squad at his disposal this time around and he is set to make the most of it for the trip to Teesside.[LNB]Despite the expected changes the game is still a must win for United. Ferguson's men could go six points clear at the top with Liverpool not playing until Sunday.[LNB]Middlesbrough are also in desperate need of the points with Gareth Southgate's side deep in the relegation mire.[LNB]Boro currently sit second bottom, three points from safety with just four games to play but know that they have taken points off members of the top four already this season.[LNB]Boro have already beaten United's title rivals Liverpool at the Riverside in early April while they secured a well earned draw at home to Arsenal in December.[LNB]The North East side also boast an impressive record against United on home soil winning three and drawing two of their last nine games in all competitions at the Riverside against Ferguson's men.[LNB]In fact Boro are unbeaten at home in 2009 - a run stretching seven games - and Southgate has called for the fans to play their part in helping the team extend that run at the weekend.[LNB]Team newsThe Boro boss will be without skipper Emanuel Pogatetz after the defender suffered a setback in training following his recovery from a knee injury he picked up against Bolton a month ago.[LNB]However midfielder Didier Digard stepped up his fitness after coming off the bench against Arsenal last weekend after it was expected he would miss the rest of the campaign with knee and groin trouble. [LNB]Defender Chris Riggott remains sidelined after he picked up an ankle injury in a reserve clash prior to the Gunners defeat last week.[LNB]Southgate dropped striker Afonso Alves at the Emirates after a run of 10 games without a goal. The Brazilian has also recently been linked with a move away from the Riverside but he could find himself restored to the starting XI after his brace against the champions in this fixture last term.[LNB]United meanwhile are likely to be without Rio Ferdinand, who was forced off with a suspected rib injury against Arsenal on Wednesday.[LNB]Ben Foster, Paul Scholes and Park Ji-Sung were all unused substitutes in midweek and are in line to start. Nani, Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda were left out altogether for the semi-final clash and the trio should also feature.[LNB]Wes Brown will also play a part after the defender has fully recovered from a foot injury that has sidelined him since January. Fellow defender Gary Neville (foot) has not been so lucky and he will be out for a further week.[LNB]Possible starting XIs[LNB]Middlesbrough: Jones, McMahon, Wheater, Huth, Taylor, O'Neil, Bates, Tuncay, Downing, Aliadiere, Alves.[LNB]Man Utd: Foster, O'Shea, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Park, Giggs, Scholes, Anderson, Nani, Macheda.[LNB]
