The North-East club host United in Saturday's lunch-time fixture, a contest that means so much at both ends of the table. If the Reds win to go six points clear of Liverpool, it would push Boro closer to the dreaded drop at the end of a transitional season.
"The unfortunate thing for our industry is that when a manager has three or four bad results, the jungle drums start beating through the media," says Sir Alex.
"But I think the Middlesbrough chairman (Steve Gibson) has the courage to stick with a young manager. I think he will recognise that Gareth Southgate is progressive and ambitious and he's trying to change the face of the club by bringing young people into his set-up. I think that’s admirable.
"Gareth is thinking along the right lines of trying to rebuild the team. He let (George) Boateng and (Fabio) Rochemback go, so he's made changes to try and bring his club forward.
"Sometimes it doesn’t always work, it takes time to do these things. Maybe in a couple of years’ time people will recognise that."
Sir Alex recognises that Saturday's game could be difficult, even if the Middlesbrough team is younger than the one that reached a UEFA Cup final under Steve McClaren and became an occasional thorn in United's side in the league.
"I think all matches are difficult at this stage of the season because the pressure’s on everyone," said Sir Alex. "We were accused of playing a weakened team against West Ham one year by Neil Warnock (then Sheffield United manager).
"That possibility arises tomorrow in some games. Some clubs are safe and may want to try young players. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that as long as they put out a team that represents their club in the right way and tries to win. That’s the best way to do it."
United will certainly be trying to win every game of course and Sir Alex is confident he has the right men for the job, even if the title race with Liverpool and Chelsea comes down to the final day, Sunday 24 May, when the Reds travel to Hull City.
"We’ve proved over the years that we’ve got players at this club who can go into the last game and win it," said the boss.
"We’re very lucky to have players with the quality, the temperament and the courage to do that. Sometimes you drive players to the very limit through your motivation and desires but when you’ve got players who’ve got these same attributes, you’ve got the right people."
It’s been a big week for Ryan Giggs
On Sunday night he was awarded the prestigious PFA Player of the Year honour and four days later he came off the bench against Arsenal to make his 800th appearance for United.
The Welshman took time out on Friday morning to speak to ManUtd.com, BBC Radio, Key 103 and PA Sport...
How significant was it for you to collect the PFA Player of the Year award?
I was really pleased. The players vote for that so for your fellow players to vote you Player of the Year is great. I’m really chuffed to get it and to top it off I made my 800th appearance for United against Arsenal. It’s been a great week.
Do you think what you've achieved this season made your fellow pros look back on your previous 18 years?
I don’t know. I’d like to think it was just for this season. Maybe it is because I’ve been in the game for so long, but I’ve been happy with my form this season and hopefully it was based on that and the past year. I don’t know – you’d have to ask the players who voted for me.
Did you enjoy watching those old clips at the PFA dinner? You’re not the kind of person who looks back a lot on what you’ve done…
No, I don’t tend to look back. It was an emotional night, a great night for me and my family. When you watch old clips, which I don’t tend to do, it’s nice to see everybody’s reaction.
Some of those goals… were you thinking: ‘I can’t believe I scored that!’
[Laughs] Those were the quicker days when I could beat defenders a lot easier than I can now! It’s great to look back on the goals you’ve scored. Things have changed a lot since I first came into the team. Sky were just taking over then and football’s gone on to a different level. All the equipment’s changed – the stadiums, the pitches… everything for the better.
When you came on against Arsenal on Wednesday the PA announcer reminded us you were making your 800th appearance. How did that feel?
I had a great reception from the crowd and that gives you an extra lift, an extra buzz. And coming on in a big game like that, I wanted to make an impact. Overall, I was just thinking about scoring or creating more goals for the team. Unfortunately we didn’t do that but we’re pleased with the performance and 1-0 is a good result.
Can you ever see anybody else playing 800 games for one club?
I think there will be players who get near to it or maybe surpass it. The way players look after themselves these days [there’s every chance]. If a player gets into the first team at 18 or 19-years-old and stays relatively injury free they can do it. It is a long time and it is a lot of games but they probably said Sir Bobby’s record would never be surpassed. But that one has and I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody passed my record.
What would you say to players who are thinking of being one-club men?
If you’re at a big club then why would you want to leave? If you’re playing well then you’re going to stay for a long time. That was the case for me. I didn’t want to leave. There’s always a challenge at United. And you find that at other clubs, too, with the likes of Raul [Real Madrid], Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher [both Liverpool]. They’re all big players at big clubs and they stay for a long time. It probably doesn’t happen at smaller clubs because players want to move on and improve themselves.
Is it a combination of loyalty on the players’ part and the success of the club?
I think loyalty does come into it, as well as different challenges. If a player’s being challenged every season, which you do get at big clubs, then they won’t want to leave.
If you can beat Middlesbrough at the weekend how close will you be to adding an 11th league title?
Each game, if we get the right result, we get closer and closer. The games are running out for other teams to catch us. We’ll be trying to win. It won’t be easy but if we do get the right result it will be a great opportunity for us.
The Welshman took time out on Friday morning to speak to ManUtd.com, BBC Radio, Key 103 and PA Sport...
How significant was it for you to collect the PFA Player of the Year award?
I was really pleased. The players vote for that so for your fellow players to vote you Player of the Year is great. I’m really chuffed to get it and to top it off I made my 800th appearance for United against Arsenal. It’s been a great week.
Do you think what you've achieved this season made your fellow pros look back on your previous 18 years?
I don’t know. I’d like to think it was just for this season. Maybe it is because I’ve been in the game for so long, but I’ve been happy with my form this season and hopefully it was based on that and the past year. I don’t know – you’d have to ask the players who voted for me.
Did you enjoy watching those old clips at the PFA dinner? You’re not the kind of person who looks back a lot on what you’ve done…
No, I don’t tend to look back. It was an emotional night, a great night for me and my family. When you watch old clips, which I don’t tend to do, it’s nice to see everybody’s reaction.
Some of those goals… were you thinking: ‘I can’t believe I scored that!’
[Laughs] Those were the quicker days when I could beat defenders a lot easier than I can now! It’s great to look back on the goals you’ve scored. Things have changed a lot since I first came into the team. Sky were just taking over then and football’s gone on to a different level. All the equipment’s changed – the stadiums, the pitches… everything for the better.
When you came on against Arsenal on Wednesday the PA announcer reminded us you were making your 800th appearance. How did that feel?
I had a great reception from the crowd and that gives you an extra lift, an extra buzz. And coming on in a big game like that, I wanted to make an impact. Overall, I was just thinking about scoring or creating more goals for the team. Unfortunately we didn’t do that but we’re pleased with the performance and 1-0 is a good result.
Can you ever see anybody else playing 800 games for one club?
I think there will be players who get near to it or maybe surpass it. The way players look after themselves these days [there’s every chance]. If a player gets into the first team at 18 or 19-years-old and stays relatively injury free they can do it. It is a long time and it is a lot of games but they probably said Sir Bobby’s record would never be surpassed. But that one has and I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody passed my record.
What would you say to players who are thinking of being one-club men?
If you’re at a big club then why would you want to leave? If you’re playing well then you’re going to stay for a long time. That was the case for me. I didn’t want to leave. There’s always a challenge at United. And you find that at other clubs, too, with the likes of Raul [Real Madrid], Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher [both Liverpool]. They’re all big players at big clubs and they stay for a long time. It probably doesn’t happen at smaller clubs because players want to move on and improve themselves.
Is it a combination of loyalty on the players’ part and the success of the club?
I think loyalty does come into it, as well as different challenges. If a player’s being challenged every season, which you do get at big clubs, then they won’t want to leave.
If you can beat Middlesbrough at the weekend how close will you be to adding an 11th league title?
Each game, if we get the right result, we get closer and closer. The games are running out for other teams to catch us. We’ll be trying to win. It won’t be easy but if we do get the right result it will be a great opportunity for us.
Darren Fletcher
Darren Fletcher produced another all-conquering display in the Reds' midfield during Wednesday's 1-0 win over Arsenal, and the Scot has revealed he's revelling in his best season yet for United.
Top-class performances have become the norm for Fletcher this season, he's been a regular fixture in the first-team this season with 38 appearances and influencing games with increasingly mature displays.
"In terms of games played, consistency and level of performances, I’d say this is definitely my best season," he told United Review. "That comes with age, and I’m more mature now at 25. I’ve played a lot of games and that helps your performance levels; I’ve definitely seen the improvement for that.
"In other seasons my performances have been a bit more staggered in terms of not playing for a few weeks and then coming in, which is a lot harder to do. This year, having a run of games has made my performances and my confidence improve. I’ve really enjoyed being in central midfield because it’s my natural and best position. I just hope it continues now because we’ve still got two trophies to win."
Fletcher was a pivotal figure in United's first-half blitz of the Gunners in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. The Scot is a recognised big-game player, which is just as well with plenty of crunch matches coming up before the end of the season.
"The Champions League and Premier League aren’t decided yet and all that’s gone has got us in this situation, so there’s still a lot to play for," adds Fletch. "This is the business end of the season now where big games decide league championships, we’re in the Champions League semi-finals and want to be in the final, and these are the games you want to be part of."
Top-class performances have become the norm for Fletcher this season, he's been a regular fixture in the first-team this season with 38 appearances and influencing games with increasingly mature displays.
"In terms of games played, consistency and level of performances, I’d say this is definitely my best season," he told United Review. "That comes with age, and I’m more mature now at 25. I’ve played a lot of games and that helps your performance levels; I’ve definitely seen the improvement for that.
"In other seasons my performances have been a bit more staggered in terms of not playing for a few weeks and then coming in, which is a lot harder to do. This year, having a run of games has made my performances and my confidence improve. I’ve really enjoyed being in central midfield because it’s my natural and best position. I just hope it continues now because we’ve still got two trophies to win."
Fletcher was a pivotal figure in United's first-half blitz of the Gunners in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. The Scot is a recognised big-game player, which is just as well with plenty of crunch matches coming up before the end of the season.
"The Champions League and Premier League aren’t decided yet and all that’s gone has got us in this situation, so there’s still a lot to play for," adds Fletch. "This is the business end of the season now where big games decide league championships, we’re in the Champions League semi-finals and want to be in the final, and these are the games you want to be part of."
Rio injury
United have received a major boost ahead of next Tuesday's Champions League semi-final, second leg against Arsenal, with Sir Alex Ferguson declaring that Rio Ferdinand has a "good chance" of being fit.
The influential 30-year-old defender was forced off in Wednesday's 1-0 first-leg win over the Gunners after a blow to his torso. Initial fears of a possible three-weeks absence have now been allayed by the news that Rio's ribs are not fractured.
"There's nothing cracked or broken which is terrific news," Sir Alex said on Friday.
"Rio had bruising on the lung which caused a bit of coughing up of blood on the night but nothing’s happened since then so hopefully we can get him ready for Tuesday.
The influential 30-year-old defender was forced off in Wednesday's 1-0 first-leg win over the Gunners after a blow to his torso. Initial fears of a possible three-weeks absence have now been allayed by the news that Rio's ribs are not fractured.
"There's nothing cracked or broken which is terrific news," Sir Alex said on Friday.
"Rio had bruising on the lung which caused a bit of coughing up of blood on the night but nothing’s happened since then so hopefully we can get him ready for Tuesday.
Paul Scholes believes United are well equipped to cope with the run-in...
That said, we’ve had difficult finishes in the past and that has seemed to spur us on. Hopefully it will be the same story again this year.
May will be a nerve-wracking month, but this is what you want, you want to be successful at the end of the season and you want to win trophies. We’ve had a great season so far but, other than the Carling Cup and Club World Cup, we’ve not achieved anything else. We’ve put ourselves in a good position, but that’s all we’ve done. We need to finish the job now.
I know I won’t be playing in all the games, I just have to be ready when the games come along, and make sure that I’m prepared properly. Then if the manager picks me, I’m ready.
It’s massively important that we keep everyone available. Touch wood, but I don’t think we’re too far off now. There are a few bumps and bruises here and there, but you’d expect that at this stage of the season.
We do have a big squad, and as we’ve said throughout the season, other players need to be able to step in and do the job. So far, for the majority of the time, I think we’ve been able to do that.
Once you get to the last few weeks it’s a case of ticking over. I don’t think there’ll be too much physical work, it’s more about keeping what you’ve got and saving most of your energy for the games.
There are a few games that are very tough. City at home is a difficult game, as we saw last year when we were poor and lost. Arsenal, obviously… but Wigan’s not an easy place to go to and Hull could be fighting for their lives on the last day of the season.
I think it’s better that we know every game is going to be tough. We’re not going into any game expecting a walkover, so that should concentrate the minds in the right way.
I think every team that plays United battles for their lives, really. They want the scalp of beating us. With regards to that, every team that faces us is going to want to beat us. At Old Trafford or wherever we go, we’re up against teams who want to get one over on us to get themselves some credit.
I think we’re ready for that all year round anyway. Nothing changes with this last few games, and hopefully we’re strong enough to come through it all.
May will be a nerve-wracking month, but this is what you want, you want to be successful at the end of the season and you want to win trophies. We’ve had a great season so far but, other than the Carling Cup and Club World Cup, we’ve not achieved anything else. We’ve put ourselves in a good position, but that’s all we’ve done. We need to finish the job now.
I know I won’t be playing in all the games, I just have to be ready when the games come along, and make sure that I’m prepared properly. Then if the manager picks me, I’m ready.
It’s massively important that we keep everyone available. Touch wood, but I don’t think we’re too far off now. There are a few bumps and bruises here and there, but you’d expect that at this stage of the season.
We do have a big squad, and as we’ve said throughout the season, other players need to be able to step in and do the job. So far, for the majority of the time, I think we’ve been able to do that.
Once you get to the last few weeks it’s a case of ticking over. I don’t think there’ll be too much physical work, it’s more about keeping what you’ve got and saving most of your energy for the games.
There are a few games that are very tough. City at home is a difficult game, as we saw last year when we were poor and lost. Arsenal, obviously… but Wigan’s not an easy place to go to and Hull could be fighting for their lives on the last day of the season.
I think it’s better that we know every game is going to be tough. We’re not going into any game expecting a walkover, so that should concentrate the minds in the right way.
I think every team that plays United battles for their lives, really. They want the scalp of beating us. With regards to that, every team that faces us is going to want to beat us. At Old Trafford or wherever we go, we’re up against teams who want to get one over on us to get themselves some credit.
I think we’re ready for that all year round anyway. Nothing changes with this last few games, and hopefully we’re strong enough to come through it all.
Teen duo eye Boro chance
With Sir Alex Ferguson looking to shuffle his pack for Saturday’s lunch-time trip to Middlesbrough, two of United's most promising young talents will hope to get their chance to shine.
It's not so much been glimpses of promise from Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda as headline-grabbing heroics. Macheda hit the back pages with recent match-winners against Aston Villa and Sunderland, while Welbeck hit a goal-of-the-season contender on his league bow against Stoke, adding two more in the FA Cup.
Both could be in contention for the crucial league match against Middlesbrough this weekend, as Sir Alex looks to rest players ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final, second leg against Arsenal.
“They’ve both been fantastic,” says the boss of Macheda and Welbeck, who have been the discoveries of the season. “I’m trying to keep them happy and feeling wanted as first-team players, which is what they are now.
“I think they have the quality and physical strength to do it, but it's not easy because when it comes to big games, players start to get fit again. Big games bring out the best of people in terms of not being injured, believe me!”
Welbeck, 18, and Macheda, 17, didn’t make the bench for Arsenal match on Wednesday, but they could play a vital role on Teesside, either from the start or as a substitute.
“It’s been very difficult with seven substitutes, and everyone available, and I've tried to use one or the other as one of my options. We were delighted with their performances at Wembley against Everton,” added Sir Alex. “They have both done really well and they could be involved on Saturday.”
It's not so much been glimpses of promise from Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda as headline-grabbing heroics. Macheda hit the back pages with recent match-winners against Aston Villa and Sunderland, while Welbeck hit a goal-of-the-season contender on his league bow against Stoke, adding two more in the FA Cup.
Both could be in contention for the crucial league match against Middlesbrough this weekend, as Sir Alex looks to rest players ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final, second leg against Arsenal.
“They’ve both been fantastic,” says the boss of Macheda and Welbeck, who have been the discoveries of the season. “I’m trying to keep them happy and feeling wanted as first-team players, which is what they are now.
“I think they have the quality and physical strength to do it, but it's not easy because when it comes to big games, players start to get fit again. Big games bring out the best of people in terms of not being injured, believe me!”
Welbeck, 18, and Macheda, 17, didn’t make the bench for Arsenal match on Wednesday, but they could play a vital role on Teesside, either from the start or as a substitute.
“It’s been very difficult with seven substitutes, and everyone available, and I've tried to use one or the other as one of my options. We were delighted with their performances at Wembley against Everton,” added Sir Alex. “They have both done really well and they could be involved on Saturday.”
Sir Alex
With a quick turnaround between trips to the Riverside and the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday for the Champions League semi-final, second leg, Sir Alex will freshen up his starting eleven against Gareth Southgate’s men.
As if the threat of relegation isn’t enough to fire up Boro’s players, they always seem to raise their game for United’s visit. But the Reds are keen not to let slip a three-point lead over second-placed Liverpool, who entertain Newcastle in Sunday’s 13:30 BST kick-off.
“I have got a squad, and I intend to use it,” says Sir Alex. “The midfield will change and the players up front will also probably change. I’ll bring some freshness into the team in some important areas.
“There’s Paul Scholes, Darron Gibson, Ji-sung Park and Nani, who didn’t play against Arsenal. But I won’t change my back four, which will be much the same apart from Rio. But up front I’ve got Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck, and they may be involved.”
Arsenal have an advantage in that, with four place practically secured, they can rest players for their visit to Portsmouth on Saturday (KO 15:00 BST).
As if the threat of relegation isn’t enough to fire up Boro’s players, they always seem to raise their game for United’s visit. But the Reds are keen not to let slip a three-point lead over second-placed Liverpool, who entertain Newcastle in Sunday’s 13:30 BST kick-off.
“I have got a squad, and I intend to use it,” says Sir Alex. “The midfield will change and the players up front will also probably change. I’ll bring some freshness into the team in some important areas.
“There’s Paul Scholes, Darron Gibson, Ji-sung Park and Nani, who didn’t play against Arsenal. But I won’t change my back four, which will be much the same apart from Rio. But up front I’ve got Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck, and they may be involved.”
Arsenal have an advantage in that, with four place practically secured, they can rest players for their visit to Portsmouth on Saturday (KO 15:00 BST).
Carrick sets Emirates target
Michael Carrick is warning that the Reds’ excellent Old Trafford showing in the Champions League semi-final first leg will count for little if United produce an equally impressive display at the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday.
United 2 Sunderland 0
United ended the Barclays Premier Reserve League season on a high note, as second half goals from Lee Martin and Matt James gave the Reds a hard-fought victory over champions Sunderland at Moss Lane.
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