Manchester United Dugout

After Liverpool had thrashed Newcastle United last week to move up the table, Man United had to be at their best to pose some challenge. And Manchester United did keep up the pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea as they earned a hard fought battle against Middlesbrough. Dimitar Berbatov's third league goal for the club was enough to earn all 3 points at home.

United had better chances in the match but the brave visitors defended manfully and could have taken the lead when Tuncay headed just wide in the 61st minute. I guess that could have put United under pressure. But Sir Alex intelligently substituted Paul Scholes for Darren Fletcher and the veteran did steady the ship as Dimitar Berbatov blasted in from close range six minutes later. With critics blaming the hangover from their exploits in the Club World Cup just before Christmas, this win has surely rubbished it.

United now move seven points behind leaders Liverpool with two games in hand. The reigning champions now turn their attention to the domestic cup competitions with a trip to Southampton in the FA Cup on Sunday followed by the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final with Derby on 7 January.