By David Hobbs
October 3 2004

Alan Smith came off the substitutes bench to salvage a point from Middlesbrough at Old Trafford earlier this afternoon. Wayne Rooney kept his place up-front with Ruud van Nistelrooy to make his first Premiership appearance for the Red Devils but didn't have the same impact as he did in midweek.

Smith Saves United's Blushes

Alan Smith came off the substitutes bench to salvage a point from Middlesbrough at Old Trafford earlier this afternoon.

Wayne Rooney kept his place up-front with Ruud van Nistelrooy to make his first Premiership appearance for the Red Devils whilst Paul Scholes was left out due to a groin injury.

Steve McClaren surprisingly sent out a few inexperienced youngsters, including defender Anthony McMahon and midfielder James Morrison. 

Cristiano Ronaldo had the first chance of the game, using his skills to cut through the Boro defence but struck wide from a decent 25-yard attempt after 7 minutes.

Mikael Silvestre, who has already bagged a few goals from set-piece headers this season, nearly headed another goal from a Ryan Giggs corner, however, Gareth Southgate put his body on the line to deny the Frenchman.

Wayne Rooney had his first real chance of the game 20 minutes in with an audacious long-range effort that sailed wide.

Steve McClaren's chance of fielding a few inexperienced youngsters paid off on the half hour mark paid off as Boro took the lead. Right-back James Morrison's cross was converted by Stewart Downing from 6 yards. Stuart Parnaby had to be replaced by Colin Cooper soon after because of an injury.

Downing tried his luck again from range but the long-shot was caught well by Roy Carroll to see out the opening half.

Despite the presence of Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy, United lacked the final touch in the opening stages of the second half and looked very average.

Gabriel Heinze headed narrowly wide from an out-swinging Cristiano Ronaldo corner after Chris Riggott had to deal with Ronaldo's teasing cross from down the flank before the hour mark.

A stinging Ronaldo shot forced Mark Schwarzer to parry the Portuguese winger's well-struck piledriver as United started to get frustrated.

Sir Alex Ferguson also started to get uncomfortable and spiced up the attack by bringing on Alan Smith in replace of John O'Shea.

Ronaldo yet again had a shot saved by Schwarzer who could only punt it as far as Wayne Rooney, who won a corner.

The powerful and driven corner should have been converted by Gary Neville of all people who made a darting run into the box but couldn't direct his shot.

With less than 10 minutes left of play, substitute Alan Smith headed in an equalizer from the only man who looked likely to create a goal - Cristiano Ronaldo. United now find themselves 9 points behind Arsenal.

Final Score: Manchester United 1 - 1 Middlesbrough

United: Carroll, G Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Heinze, Ronaldo, O'Shea, Keane, Giggs, Rooney, Nistelrooy. Subs: Ricardo , Smith , Kleberson , Djemba-Djemba , Fortune

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

     

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