Manchester United's narrow 1-0 win over Steve McClaren's Middlesbrough puts them 4 points ahead of fellow title contenders Chelsea and Arsenal- who play Southampton tomorrow.

Quinton Fortune's 14th minute strike took a deflection off Danny Mills to ensure United took all 3 points back to Manchester with them.

United had to defend their lead with 10 men for half an hour due to Darren Fletcher's late, lunging tackle on a 'Boro player. Gary Neville was lucky not to get sent off in the after he found out Fletcher got sent off, he pushed United target Gareth Southgate.

Sir Alex made several changes from the side that beat Everton on Boxing Day. Skipper Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Ruud van Nistelrooy all returned to the starting line-up.

Funnily enough, United's first chance of the game was Fortune's surging run from the wing into the box. His shot took a deflection off Danny Mills to put it beyond the reach of a hapless Mark Schwarzer.

'Boro then were awarded a 20 odd yard freekick. Dutch winger Zenden stepped up to take it but his powerful shot just had too much acceleration and floated over Tim Howard's cross-bar.

Half time- Middlesbrough 0 - Manchester United 1

Paul Scholes nearly doubled United's lead when he hammered a shot from the edge of the box but Mark Schwarzer pulled off one of the best, if not the best save this season.

United's Darren Fletcher was sent off just after the hour mark when his late, lunging tackle on a 'Boro player gave referee Mr. Messias no option but to send the Scottish international off.

But United held on until the end and took all 3 points back home to Manchester. A great festive period for United- 2 games, 2 wins.

Man Utd: Howard, Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Fortune, Fletcher, Phil Neville, Keane, Giggs, Scholes, van Nistelrooy. Subs: Carroll, Brown, Butt, Kleberson, Forlan.

Silvestre was as solid as Ferdinand at centre-half today, so therefore I (David Hobbs) declare Rio Ferdinand and Mikael Silvstre MOTM.

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