“John takes his place in Rome because he deserves it,” said Ferguson.

“Because of the injuries to Gary Neville and Wes Brown, he has become a permanent fixture. He is ahead of everyone now.”

Obviously O’Shea will be playing on the right, and although I think he is a terrible player, I understand Rafael is too young to start such an important match. Rafael could very easily make an appearance late in the second half, but I agree with Sir Alex, he cant start. Thierry Henry would make United pay if they sent an 18-year-old out to try and stop him.

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It only took United 2 minutes to create a scoring opportunity, when Fletcher’s cross was met by Rooney and his header was denied.

By the 16th minute it was clear that United’s attack was being led by Tevez. As he played a ball wide to O’Shea and followed up the one-two with a shot which was denied by Almunia for a corner. The corner that lead to the O’Shea’s goal. As Arsenal got caught chasing the ball, O’Shea was left alone in the back and put it away with no problem.

12 minutes later Tevez supplied Ronaldo with a stupendous ball, which Ronaldo headed directly into the hands of Almunia.

After the first half, it was all United. Arsenal had trouble advancing and creating any chances.

The second half didn’t change much. It was all United. Arsenal were extremely static, they would pass and stay in the same area.

There was a spark of brilliance from Ronaldo in the 69th minute when the Portuguese winger had  a go from 30 yards out which caught Almunia off his line and struck the crossbar. If Ronaldo was half a yard back it’s a goal!

I was disappointed Sir Alex took off Tevez, I honestly feel Ronaldo should have come off before Tevez. He spent 40 percent of his time on the ground,

It’s as if Ronaldo and Drogba are in competition to see who can spend more time on the ground during a match.

Giggs came on to make his 800th appearance and was convinced he scored the 2nd goal in the 78th minute, only to have it denied because he was slightly offside.

Rio Ferdinand picked up a knock, but no word on how serious it may be. He was rushed to the hospital immediately following the match.

United are definitely in the driver’s seat heading into the second leg next week, although United have yet to win at the Emirates.

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United had to do without Vidic, who was out with a knee injury.
Scholes and Carrick take the center mid positions. Ronaldo and Giggs take the wings. This was Giggs 750th appearance for United, just 9 shy of Sir Bobby Charltons record.

Late challenge on Ronaldo in the first minutes of the match,  Boro tried to send a message early on.

Middlesbrough has scored 35 goals in all competition, Ronaldo alone has 36.

Carrick gets fouled about 30 yards out and Ronaldo has a go but it was deflected by the wall.

A corner for Man U in the 10th minute and United score. Its incredible that in a professional match the ball made it past everyone and got to Carrick in the back post. Carrick put it straight across the middle for who else, Ronaldo. 6 yards from goal,  Ronaldo was not going to miss.
He makes it 37 goals in all competition. 

In the 22nd minute middlesbrough showed some poor sportsmanship by not putting the ball out after Evra went down at their end of the field. Middlesbrough almost tied because of their lack of respect for United.

I understand if there was a clear scoring opportunity, not to play the ball out, But Evra went down in their 18! I lost some respect for Middlesbrough after that play.

Rio overpowers Alves in the 32nd minute for a Middlesbrough free kick 25 yards out. 

Alves took the free kick, and it was a powerful kick. Van der Sar was able to block it, only to have it go to a Boro player, and again Van der Sar makes a brilliant save.

2 minutes later Carrick committed 2 mistakes that would allow Middlesbrough to tie. Carrick was given the ball in the back by O’Shea, who then overlapped down the right side. Carrick didn’t play the short ball and instead tried a 50 yard long ball to the opposite side of the field for Giggs. Well Carrick is no Beckham, the ball was short, not only that but Carrick decided not to run back until it was to late. Alfonso Alves had snuck in behind him and Middlesbrough played a classic counter attack. In two touches the ball made its way to Uniteds right side where there was no defender. And it was no problem for Alfonso Alves as he slid it past Van der Sar.

Middlesbrough simply out hustled United. This was apparent in the 40th minute when the ball was in Uniteds danger zone, first O’Shea had a chance to clear it but it was blocked then Evra and it was blocked. Middlesbrough hustled to the ball and centered it to Downing who was wide open, luckily for United Van der Sar got to it with another great save.
 
2nd Half

No changes for United

Right away in the first 2 minutes of the second half United have a scare as Middlesbrough feed a long ball from their own half and it manages to bounce over eveyones head, and Pogatetz was there but United clear it just in time for a counter, it was 3v3 at the other end, Rooney tried to play a ball to Tevez on the right side but it was a little to much and Tevez could only salvage a corner from it. Good idea from Rooney

Rooney was booked in the 55th minute for sliding in on the keeper. Some might argue it was harsh, considering the condition of the field. Rooney slid and couldn’t stop due to the wet pitch. But rules are rules, if Alves challenged Van der Sar like that we would all be yelling for a yellow.

1 minute later, Middlesbrough luck out on some poor United defending, again. Brown does his job by challenging the ball in the air, there are 3 United players with in 5 yards of Wes Brown and all of them were too naïve to drop back behind Rio “Just in Case” Alves was the only one that ran through and past everyone and with a little luck found the ball at his feet for another break, and again he put it past Van der Sar with the nearest United defender 3 yards behind him.

A very close call for Man U. As Aliadiere heads a ball across Uniteds goal for Alves. Luckily for United Rio clears the ball of the line before Alves could get his hat trick.

Ferdinand came off in the 70th minute, this could spell disaster for United. Man U can not afford to lose another key defender.

A brilliant strike from Wayne Rooney off a corner. Rooney hit a volley first time but just put it wide. A very difficult thing to do.

Park, who came on for Tevez is the architect behind Rooneys goal. Park made the perfect run, he made the perfect fake, the finished it off with the perfect pass to Rooney. Rooney simply redirected it and salvaged a point for United.
Rooney doesn’t even celebrate, that’s what I love about this kid. He was knew where his team stood and he just wanted to get on with it. Rooney wanted the win.

A wonderful flying header by Rooney in the closing minutes but it was clocked then Giggs dished off to Scholes who couldn’t put it away.

United manage to tie  and keep themselves 3 points in front of Chelsea.

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