Man United 1 Middlesbrough 0
Ruud van Nistelrooy's first-half penalty eased Manchester United into the Premiership's early season pace-setters at Old Trafford tonight.
The Dutchman blasted into the roof of the net after he had been impeded by Ugo Ehiogu to give the home side maximum points from a disappointing encounter and end obdurate Boro's unbeaten start to the new campaign.
For watching England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson though, there was the worry of watching David Beckham gingerly make his way to the touchline which could make him a doubt for Saturday's clash with Portugal.
Solskjaer's introduction for van Nistelrooy threatened a sparkier last 20 minutes, Maccarone withdrawn moments later for Noel Whelan.
Giggs dallied waiting to receive a ball played out of defence and was robbed by Boateng, whose powerful drive was fumbled unconvincingly round his post by Barthez.
Forlan was eventually introduced for Scholes but, worryingly for Ferguson, United were now starting to retreat deeper into their own territory.
Southgate turned a Beckham cross behind for a corner, from which Forlan forced Schwarzer into a diving stop to prevent his cushioned header falling to a home striker.
Veron was yellow-carded three minutes from time after the latest in a succession of petty fouls, then Job got on the end of Geremi's cross but could not get enough power into his header to test Barthez.
Beckham appeared to be limping as he made his way off a minute before the end and Eriksson will require an urgent injury bulletin on his captain before heading home.
Barthez blocked another Job effort as the game entered stoppage time, then landed awkwardly as he came to claim the corner uud Van Nistelrooy's first half penalty was enough to secure Manchester United's 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough at Old Trafford this evening.
PA