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As it happenedended1489933561

Middlesbrough vs Manchester United as it happened: Jose Mourinho's men move into top five

The home side are winless in 10 games since Christmas as Jose Mourinho's men bid to keep up the pressure in the race for the top four

Joe Miles
Sunday 19 March 2017 08:28 EDT
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Jose Mourinho's men need all three points in the race for the top four
Jose Mourinho's men need all three points in the race for the top four (Getty)

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Head shot of Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Manchester United continue their quest for the top four when they travel to Middlesbrough on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho's men won't have it all their own way though against the now managerless Boro after Aitor Karanka left the club on Thursday.

Steve Agnew takes caretaker charge today and will try to change the fortunes of his ailing side who currently sit 19th, five points adrift from safety.

After flattering to deceive against Rostov in the Europa League in midweel, Mourinho will be aware his side will need to improve if they are to keep up with their chase for a Champions League top four spot.

But it will be a much-changed team as Paul Pogba has been ruled out with a hamstring injury and Daley Blind is doubtful. United also have Ander Herrera and Zlatan Ibrahimovic serving suspensions.

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Past three-meetings

Middlesbrough 0 Manchester United 2 (Giggs, Park), Premier League, May 2009.

Manchester United 0 Middlesbrough 0, League Cup, October 2015

Manchester United 2 (Martial, Pogba) Middlesbrough 1 (Leadbitter), Premier League, December 2016

Form guide

Middlesbrough: LDWLLL

Manchester United: WWDDLW

Odds

Middlesbrough to win: 5/1

Manchester United to win: 13/20

Draw: 11/4

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5 MINS

Leadbitter's attempted short corner is intercepted by Valencia. It's a very windy day here at the Riverside, so the crosses into the box will cause endless problems today for the goalkeepers.

Joe Miles19 March 2017 12:05
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7 MINS

Rashford uses his electric pace to open up the Boro defence, leaving Bernardo helpless. The ball goes through and the youngster attempts to slot a low ball past Valdes, but the keeper comes out on top. 

Joe Miles19 March 2017 12:07
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9 MINS

Ramirez flies to the ground after a tackle with Fellaini, but it looks although the Boro lad is exaggerating the contact. No foul. 

Joe Miles19 March 2017 12:09
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10 MINS

Leadbitter goes for goal from distance, but his volleyed attempt is high, wide and not very handsome.

Joe Miles19 March 2017 12:10
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12 MINS

Agnew's men are pinging the ball around well, but their just lacking the final product. Fabio bombs forward, finding Ramirez, who returns the ball. It looks although the Brazilian is going for goal, but he attempts a pass that goes out of play.

Joe Miles19 March 2017 12:12
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13 MINS

Ramirez picks up the ball on the edge of the area, he skips past Bailly with ease and fires a strike at goal. De Gea leaps to his left and parries the shot out for a corner kick. 

Joe Miles19 March 2017 12:13
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15 MINS

The home side have had 75% of possession so far, but the closest chance of the game remains to be Rashford's. 

Joe Miles19 March 2017 12:15
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18 MINS

Mata finds Lingard, who picks the ball up on the edge of the area and goes for goal. He is quickly shut down by a sea of Boro shirts and is dispossessed. 

Joe Miles19 March 2017 12:18
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19 MINS

The ball is threaded through to Rashford once again, who bursts through the Middlesbrough defence. He attempts to pull the ball back from a wide position, but he had a lack of options inside of the area. 

Joe Miles19 March 2017 12:20
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22 MINS

Downing fails to intercept a through ball, that makes it way through to Rashford. Once again, the United lad attempts to put the ball back into the box, but it is intercepted. 

Joe Miles19 March 2017 12:22

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