Success may breed success, but it does not nurture harmony. For all the glittering silverware at Old Trafford, discord appears to be sweeping through Manchester United's trophy-drunk camp.
Roy Keane, who missed this match with a hamstring strain and starts a four-match suspension next week, may have played his last game of the season, but he continues to accuse his teammates of "complacency", bemoaning their "average" European displays and urging the manager to bring in new faces.
United's other star names appear reluctant to follow his lead. "There are some players who have not done as well as they should this season, but you should always stick together as a team," said a more diplomatic David Beckham.
"The manager makes the decisions. If he thinks the team needs strengthening, then he will. Next season is going to be special for the manager, the team and the fans. I want to be a part of that. I love the club and, if contract talks go well, then I'll be staying."
For Middlesbrough, safety is close - two points from their last two matches would keep them up - but Terry Venables must remain on tenterhooks. "We thought we could have finished the job," Paul Ince conceded, "but other results mean nothing much has changed."
Middlesbrough have won only three times at home all season and against United they lapsed into over-caution, selecting five natural central halves.
Phil Neville set United on their way after four minutes. The younger Neville's lame goalscoring record rivals only his brother's in United's ranks, but even Beckham would have been proud of the thunderous shot that flew past Mark Schwarzer.
It took Ince's ongoing midfield tussles with Nicky Butt - "Put them in the middle of the park and the least you'll get is an argument," said Alex Ferguson - to spark the home side into life.
Yet the best chance came and went in the midst of their best attacking spell. Jason Gavin's 67thminute volley was tipped on to the bar and Hamilton Ricard nodded goalwards. The ball would have crept over the line but the overeager Ugo Ehiogu intervened; instead of goal celebrations, his touch prompted the offside flag.
United responded to their uncharacteristic sloppiness by introducing Ryan Giggs and Andy Cole. The Welshman duly sent Boro defenders scurrying and cut back for Beckham to shoot inside Schwarzer's near post.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Gavin, Cooper (Gordon 85), Ehiogu, Vickers, Okon, Stamp (Marinelli 67), Ince, Windass, Boksic, Ricard (Mustoe 85). Subs Not Used: Crossley, Deane. Booked: Gavin, Okon.
MANCHESTER UTD: Van Der Gouw, Phil Neville, Stam, Johnsen, Brown, Beckham, Butt, Stewart (Chadwick 85), Fortune (Giggs 72), Sheringham, Solskjaer (Cole 74). Subs Not Used: Rachubka, Yorke. Booked: Beckham, Stewart, Phil Neville. Goals: Phil Neville 4, Beckham 84.
Referee: S Lodge (Barnsley).
