Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.
Man United will enter this match off the back of four straight league wins, but Jose Mourinho's side still sit down in sixth spot in the Premier League table.
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have dropped down to 15th spot in the table after losing three of their last four fixtures at this level, including a 1-0 defeat at Burnley on December 26.
This afternoon's match will be the first time since the 2008-09 season that these two clubs have met in the Premier League and Man United won both fixtures without conceding during that particular campaign.
2.01pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from Old Trafford as Manchester United welcome Middlesbrough. The hosts will be looking for their fifth straight league win against a Middlesbrough team that have lost three of their last four in the Premier League. Stay tuned!
2.04pmThis afternoon will be the 125th meeting between these two teams in all competitions. Unsurprisingly, Man United lead the head-to-head 62 wins to Middlesbrough's 34, while the remaining 28 matches have finished level. However, Boro were victorious when they last locked horns with Man United – winning 3-1 on penalties in the last-16 stage of the League Cup in 2015.
2.07pmMan United won both fixtures – 1-0 at home and 2-0 away – when they met during the 2008-09 Premier League season and Middlesbrough have not actually won a league game against the Red Devils since a 4-1 victory in October 2005. Middlesbrough's last league win at Old Trafford, meanwhile, occurred in February 2004. The omens are against the away side here, that is for sure!
2.10pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Old Trafford. Both of these sides were in action on Boxing Day, but with mixed results. Man United beat Sunderland 3-1 here, while Middlesbrough lost to a late Andre Gray strike at Burnley. Right, teams...
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2.13pmTEAMS!
UNITED: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, Blind; Fellaini, Herrera, Pogba; Martial, Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan
BORO: Valdes; Chambers, Bernardo, Gibson, Friend; Leadbitter, Forshaw, De Roon; Traore, Negredo, Downing
2.16pmMan United boss Jose Mourinho has made five changes to the team that started the Boxing-Day clash with Sunderland. Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling both come into the back four, while Marouane Fellaini replaces Michael Carrick in the middle of the park. There are also two changes further forward as Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Anthony Martial return in the wide positions. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba, however, both stay in the team as Man United look for a fifth straight league success.
2.19pmThe big news in the Middlesbrough camp is that Bernardo Espinosa, who joined the Riverside outfit in the summer, makes his Premier League debut this afternoon. Antonio Barragan's suspension means that Calum Chambers switches to right-back, while Grant Leadbitter, Stewart Downing and Adama Traore are also given starting roles. Leading scorer Alvaro Negredo keeps his position in the team.
2.22pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this cold afternoon in Manchester. I shall speak about the away side and their form a little bit later, but let's start with Man United, who will be looking for their fifth straight league win here. Mourinho's side are currently on a fine run of form, but they still sit down in sixth position in the table.
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2.25pmMan United have not actually lost in any competition since a 2-1 defeat at Fenerbahce on November 3. Since then, they have booked their spot in the knockout stage of the Europa League, in addition to closing the gap on the top four in the Premier League. As it stands, they are four points off fourth-place Arsenal and will be desperate to put another three points on the board here.
2.28pmMan United's unbeaten run in the league, meanwhile, now stands at nine matches and stretches back to a 4-0 defeat at runaway leaders Chelsea on October 23. They drew four of their next five in the league after that humiliating loss at Stamford Bridge, but have now won their last four – beating Tottenham Hotspur on December 12 before winning 2-1 at Crystal Palace and 2-0 at West Bromwich Albion.
2.32pmBoxing Day brought another three points for the Red Devils as Daley Blind, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored the goals in a 3-1 win over Sunderland. They face another home game this afternoon, before visiting a revitalised West Ham United in the Premier League on January 2. Then comes a home match against Championship side Reading in the third round of the FA Cup on January 7.
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2.35pmMan United also have the small matter of Liverpool at home in the Premier League on January 15, while they will face Hull City in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on January 10. It is a busy few weeks for the Red Devils and Mourinho's squad will be tested at the start of 2017. There are no real worries about the squad, however, which is full of strength in depth, as shown this afternoon.
2.38pmAs for Middlesbrough, Aitor Karanka's side will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 defeat at Burnley on Boxing Day. The Riverside club have now lost three of their last four in England's top flight, which is a run of results that has left them down in 15th position in the table – just four points outside of the relegation zone. They just need to be a little bit careful following a difficult run.
2.42pmWorryingly for Middlesbrough, no team has scored fewer Premier League goals (16) than Karanka's side this season. Boro have also only won one of their nine away league matches this term, but have actually only suffered three defeats and conceded just nine times. Man United are of course the favourites to collect all three points here, but it could be a tricky afternoon for the Red Devils.
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2.45pmDespite Middlesbrough's troubles this season, they have performed against the so-called bigger clubs. They only narrowly lost 2-1 at home to Tottenham on September 24 and held Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates on October 22. The former Championship club also drew 1-1 at Manchester City last month and only suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Chelsea on November 20.
2.48pmIn terms of what is ahead for Middlesbrough, they will host the champions Leicester City on January 2, before welcoming Sheffield Wednesday to the Riverside in the FA Cup on January 8. Then comes two massive matches for Boro as they travel to Watford and host West Ham in the Premier League. Right, now just about 10 minutes until kickoff on this cold afternoon in Manchester!
2.52pmOh, it is everywhere Michael. Everywhere. Everyone is coughing and spluttering!
Michael Carrick misses today's game through illness. #MUFC #MUNMID pic.twitter.com/OxRw50Pjhm
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 31, 2016
2.55pmHere we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at Old Trafford. Middlesbrough will be looking for all of the points to move clear of the relegation zone, while Man United need to continue their winning run as they chase down the top four. Kickoff is imminent here.
0 minKICKOFF! Man United kick things off on home soil...
2 min... brilliant atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon and as expected, the home side have taken control of the possession inside the opening couple of minutes. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Boro will be looking to make a positive start here.
3 minCHANCE! Massive chance for the away side as Traore races clear of the Man United defence as he leads a three-on-one situation, but the former Barcelona man fires wide when he had options to the left and to the right. Just had to do better in that position!
5 minFriend fires just over the crossbar as Man United stutter at the back.
7 minMan United are in control of the possession with seven minutes on the clock, but the away side have looked much more dangerous in the final third of the field. Fellaini is getting forward when possible, but it is leaving Herrera very isolated in central midfield. That has been a problem before!
7 minFellaini meets a deep Mkhitaryan corner, but his header is straight at Valdes.
10 minMiddlesbrough are doing their best to disrupt Man United in the middle of the park as they give away a couple of free kicks, before Martial wins a set piece from Chambers in a wide position. The resulting free kick is delivered into the Middlesbrough box by Blind, but Gibson clears down-field.
11 minCHANCE! Chance for Man United as Mkhitaryan delivers a fine pass into Martial and the Frenchman skins Chambers before crossing towards Ibrahimovic, but Espinosa clears!
13 minChambers does not look very comfortable when Martial attacks with speed and purpose, and it does appear it could be a very tough afternoon for the on-loan Arsenal defender. Middlesbrough, however, are enjoying decent possession in the Man United half of the field early on here.
14 minPOST! Wonderful chance for Man United to take the lead as Mkhitaryan heads back across goal and Pogba goes for a spectacular over-head kick, but he hits the post!
16 minMan United look very slick when they move the ball outside the Middlesbrough box, but the away side have plenty of threat on the counter-attack, especially when Traore starts to move his legs.
18 minCHANCE! Super chance for the away side this time as Traore breezes past Blind before delivering a super low cross towards the far post where Friend is waiting, but the defender takes too long and Fellaini is on hand to make the block. Brilliant game of football at Old Trafford.
21 minYou just get the feeling that the first goal this afternoon - if there indeed is one - will be vital. Man United continue to look dangerous in the final third, but Middlesbrough are so dangerous when Traore has time and space to run at Blind, who cannot seem to handle the former Barcelona man here.
23 minPass, pass, pass from Man United as they look to thread that elusive pass, but the home side's latest attack comes to an end when Pogba puts far too much on a pass through to Ibrahimovic.
24 minMan United have a free kick in a dangerous area as De Roon brings Martial to the deck...
25 min... Pogba's free kick is straight into the stands.
27 minNo real chances for either team since Friend had that shot blocked inside the Man United box and Middlesbrough have been pretty comfortable in the last five minutes or so. We have not seen too much from Ibrahimovic in the opening 27 minutes of this match, but he is always good for a goal.
30 minNot quite happening for Man United at the moment as Pogba misplaces another pass in the final third, which allows Middlesbrough to set up in their shape once again. The home supporters are doing their best to raise the atmosphere, but something is not quite right at Old Trafford this afternoon.
30 minDecent stop from Valdes as he gets down to keep out Mkhitaryan's low effort.
32 minMiddlesbrough are very deep this afternoon, which is making it difficult for the likes of Pogba and Mkhitaryan to thread balls towards Ibrahimovic. It is a very crowded area of the field.
32 minCLOSE! Fellaini just heads a dangerous Martial cross over Valdes's crossbar.
34 minLittle over 10 minutes of the first period remaining at Old Trafford and we are still goalless. Man United have had the better of it, but Middlesbrough have also had their chances this afternoon.
36 minSuper challenge from Gibson as the Middlesbrough centre-back blocks Fellaini's effort, which looked to be heading for the bottom corner. Very important period of the match here.
36 minCLOSE! Mkhitaryan sends a low strike just wide of Boro's far post.
38 minMartial is giving Chambers a terrible time in a wide position and the Frenchman skips past the on-loan Arsenal defender before having a cross blocked behind for a corner. The resulting set piece is delivered towards Bailly, but Gibson and De Roon just about do enough to clear their lines.
38 minCROSSBAR! Martial hits the crossbar with a thumping effort from distance!
39 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Ibrahimovic raises his foot to turn a Martial cross home from close range, but the referee disallows the goal for a high foot on Valdes! It seemed very harsh and Valdes, for some reason, is still on the ground despite not being touched. Very harsh call that.
41 minVery poor from the referee there. Man United should be 1-0 ahead late in the first period.
43 minMiddlesbrough just need to survive this period late in the first half as Man United continue to move the ball quickly and search for the opening goal. The away side are on the ropes at the moment.
45 minMiddlesbrough have had to ride their luck in this opening 45 minutes, but it does appear that they will enter the half-time interval level at 0-0. Martial and Pogba have both hit the woodwork for the home side, while Ibrahimovic had one disallowed for a high boot, which was a ridiculous decision.
45 min+1Leadbitter sends a low effort wide of Man United's post from distance.
45 min+2We are into the second of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.
45 min+3HALF-TIME: Man United 0-0 Middlesbrough
3.47pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Man United have hit the woodwork on two separate occasions in addition to having a goal disallowed for a high boot, while Middlesbrough have also been dangerous on the counter-attack. The atmosphere has not been terrific, but it has been a very entertaining game of football here.
3.52pmSTATISTICS! Man United managed 15 attempts in the first half, but just three of those were on target. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, had six attempts without testing De Gea in the Man United goal. No yellow cards to report and in truth, it has been a game that entertained from the first minute.
3.57pmBENCH WATCH! Lingard, Mata, Rashford and Schweinsteiger are among those available for Man United boss Mourinho this afternoon, while Middlesbrough have options in the shape of Clayton, Ramirez, Rhodes and Stuani. We are all set for a fascinating second 45 minutes of action at Old Trafford.
4.02pm
HT: #MUFC 0 Boro 0. Pogba and Martial have hit the post and Zlatan's had a goal ruled out in a lively first 45 minutes. #MUNMID pic.twitter.com/9FWOMf5MPg
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 31, 2016
46 minRESTART! Middlesbrough resume the action here...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will already have alterations in mind for the second 45 minutes here.
49 minStill plenty of football to be played this afternoon, but the tension will rise inside Old Trafford if it remains goalless approaching the hour mark, while Middlesbrough will always be a threat on the counter-attack due to the pace of Traore and the options Karanka has on his bench this afternoon.
51 minMarcus Rashford is on the bench for Man United this afternoon, but there is hardly any space in behind due to Middlesbrough's deep defensive line and you wonder whether the teenager would be the right option for this match. The home side continue to search for the opening goal here.
51 minSAVE! Super save from Valdes to keep out a low Ibrahimovic effort, which arrived following a wonderful pass from Pogba, who has been just excellent this afternoon.
53 minMourinho has just had a word with the fourth official about time-wasting because the away side are taking so much time to resume when the ball goes out. The visitors need to quicken it up here.
53 minIbrahimovic delivers a terrific low cross towards Mkhitaryan and the Armenian just turns wide, but the offside flag was raised. The home side are getting closer and closer at Old Trafford.
54 minCLOSE! Forshaw sends a low effort just wide of De Gea's far post.
56 minThe referee is again unpopular with the home supporters as Smalling is adjudged to have felled Negredo in the middle of the park despite the Man United defender seemingly winning the ball.
57 minBOOKING! Blind (Man United) is booked for a late tackle on Traore.
60 minLittle over 30 minutes of this Premier League clash remaining and we are still level at 0-0. Man United really should have scored at least twice in the first period, but Middlesbrough are holding on. You sense that Mourinho will be considering changes as the play continues to progress here.
61 minHerrera fires over the crossbar from distance as Middlesbrough keep it level.
63 minBlind is caught down the field once again and Middlesbrough can break away with Negredo, but the striker cannot find a teammate and the home side carry the ball forward. A slice from Gibson then puts Valdes in trouble, but the Spanish goalkeeper collects as Man United's frustration continues.
63 minGood grief Traore has got some pace about him!
63 minBORO SUB! Ramirez replaces Downing for the away side here.
65 minMata and Rojo are both receiving instructions here and it does appear that the pair will enter the field in the next few moments. Still around 25 minutes of football remaining at Old Trafford here.
65 minMAN UNITED SUBS! Rojo and Mata replace Blind and Fellaini for the hosts.
65 minSAVE! Valdes shuffles across to keep out a super Martial strike.
67 minFriend, incredibly, beats Valencia for pace and manages to gain Middlesbrough a free kick in a dangerous position down the left. Man United, however, clear their lines through Valencia.
67 minGOAL! Man United 0-1 Middlesbrough (Leadbitter)
68 minMiddlesbrough take the lead at Old Trafford as Leadbitter hammers home from close range after Negredo had found his teammate with a cute header inside the box. Hammer blow for the hosts.
69 minSAVE! Valdes is down to make a super save to deny Ibrahimovic.
71 minStill more than 20 minutes of football remaining at Old Trafford, but the home supporters are very restless. This would be a really bitter blow to Man United in terms of their top-four hopes.
72 minMAN UNITED SUB! Rashford replaces Smalling for the home side.
73 minCLOSE! Rashford delivers a low cross into the Middlesbrough box, but there are no takers. Where on earth was the red shirt at the far post! Really should be 1-1 in this match.
75 minSAVE! Valdes is down to make another save to keep out Rashford's volley.
76 minForshaw is very fortunate to escape a booking after pulling Rojo to the ground.
78 minLee Mason has had a really poor game this afternoon. And I suspect that Mourinho will have to be restrained at full-time if Man United suffer defeat. Still more than 10 minutes to play here.
78 minBORO SUB! Clayton replaces Leadbitter for the away side.
79 minPENALTY SHOUT! Rashford goes down inside the box under pressure from Bernardo, but the referee is not interested. Mourinho is going absolutely crackers once again.
81 minValdes comes to collect a low Pogba cross as the clock continues to tick on at Old Trafford. The frustration inside the stadium is absolutely incredible. They cannot believe they are behind.
81 minSAVE! Martial is again denied by a wonderful save from Valdes.
82 minBORO SUB! Fabio replaces Traore for the away side.
83 minCLOSE! Mata has one deflected just wide as Middlesbrough survive again.
85 minLittle over five minutes of normal time remaining and still Middlesbrough lead at Old Trafford. It is absolutely incredible that Man United have not found the back of the net in this match.
85 minGOAL! Man United 1-1 Middlesbrough (Martial)
86 minFinally Man United equalise in the 85th minute of this match as Ibrahimovic finds Martial and the Frenchman finds the back of the net from inside the box. Is there still time to win it?!
86 minGOAL! Man United 2-1 Middlesbrough (Pogba)
87 minOh my word! Man United have turned this around! The home side lead at Old Trafford as Pogba heads a super Mata cross into the top corner! Middlesbrough just cannot believe it here.
89 minStill time for Middlesbrough to snatch something here as Forshaw hits one from distance, but De Gea is on hand to collect. What a wonderful game of football at Old Trafford this afternoon.
90 min+1We are into the first of four additional minutes at Old Trafford.
90 min+2BOOKING! Chambers (Boro) is booked for a tug on Martial.
90 min+4Man United keep possession of the ball as we approach the final moments here.
90 min+5FULL-TIME: Man United 2-1 Middlesbrough
4.52pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Man United running out 2-1 winners following a late, late show at Old Trafford. Just like the old days for the Red Devils! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. See you soon!
