By Chris O'Brien
May 6 2006

Manchester United's penultimate game of the season saw a dissappointing stalemate against a weakened Middlesbrough side. The game will be remembered for Ruud Van Nistelrooy's penalty miss, and Gary Neville's public spat with a fan on the terraces following the full-time whistle.

Manchester United’s campaign is reaching an end on a typically lacklustre whimper. Whilst the Red Devils have traditionally battled on until the very end, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men seem to be bucking the trend of so many other clubs as they served up a mediocre display which could only yield a goalless home draw against a weakened Middlesbrough.

With Wayne Rooney nursing his broken foot on the sidelines, United looked inept of creative ideas and the strike partnership of Louis Saha and Ruud Van Nistelrooy failed to trouble an under-strength ‘Boro backline.

Van Nistelrooy couldn’t find the net from the penalty spot, but a home win would have been harsh on Steve McClaren who saw his team battle so hard to add an impressive point to their tally as they prepare for the Uefa Cup final.

Middlesbrough started the stronger of the two sides with Massimo Maccarone and Fabio Rochemback both troubled Edwin Van Der Sar, with United struggling to create clear-cut opportunities at the other end. The visitors continued to press forward after the interval with Stewart Downing, once a Red Devils target, hitting the target.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men improved as the half went on and the introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo caused a few problems for McClaren’s men. The golden opportunity came when Lee Cattermole handled a Ryan Giggs cross, but Ruud’s tame effort failed to trouble the impressive Brad Jones as the game petered out into a stalemate.

Meanwhile, as United's men trudged off the field to a mixed reception, one support vented his anger at skipper Gary Neville. The English international didn't react too kindly and the duo had a clear war of words in open view of the delighted press. Neville's passion got the better of him as he defended his team, but the fans were clearly not impressed with this below-par display.

The result keeps United ahead of third-placed Liverpool, with the gap now one point. A win for United on the final day of the season will secure automatic qualification for the Champions League. Charlton, facing several injury problems, travel to Old Trafford whilst the Scousers visit Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth, with the south-coast club in a joyous mood having beaten the drop at the weekend.

Full Time – Manchester United 0-0 Middlesbrough
Attendance – 69,531

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre, Park (Ronaldo 56), O'Shea, Giggs, Evra (Richardson 56), Saha (Rossi 81), van Nistelrooy.
Substitutes Not Used: Howard, Vidic.

Middlesbrough: Jones, Parnaby, Riggott, Bates, Queudrue (Taylor 64), Morrison (Christie 72), Cattermole, Boateng, Rochemback, Downing, Maccarone (Parlour 80).
Substitutes Not Used: Wheater, Knight.