Below-par United struggle

Man Utd - 1 Middlesbrough - 0:ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP:Old Trafford may have a more harmonious working environment in the absence of Roy Keane but Manchester United's ascent to fourth place last night failed to conceal that, without their captain, Alex Ferguson's team have an air of vincibility.

Ruud van Nistelrooy's 39th goal in his 50th appearance for United was sufficient to hoist the club four places up the Premiership table but, that apart, there was little satisfaction for Ferguson as he contemplates how best to cope with the loss of his midfield enforcer, possibly until the turn of the year.

Keane's value to United cannot be overstated. As Ferguson puts it on the back cover of Keane's infamous autobiography: "If I was putting Roy Keane out there to represent Manchester United on a one against one, we'd win the Derby, the Grand National, the Boat Race and anything else."

For those seeking to demonise United's captain, peddling the theory that Ferguson would somehow be better off without him, it is also worth pointing out that the 10 games he missed through suspension or aching joints last year incorporated vapid home defeats against Bolton, Middlesbrough and Liverpool. Unless this season's challenge to Arsenal's hegemony is to unravel at the seams, it is crucial United find greater powers of durability for the three months they will be without their most influential player.

Middlesbrough's visit was an opportunity, therefore, for Ferguson's players to make a statement of their intent. Fabien Barthez was deemed fit for his first appearance of the season, even more surprisingly Paul Scholes also returned from injury and, in Keane's absence, David Beckham took over the captain's armband. Of more interest to the photographers was the fact that he was also wearing a new pair of boots - one bearing the name of Brooklyn, the other Romeo, his three-day-old son.

Unfortunately for the England captain, he seldom had the chance to use them in the opening exchanges. United's play was too often fragmented and directionless, with little width or penetration, and Middlesbrough could feel justifiably aggrieved that, having blunted their opponents, they still found themselves trailing.

Ryan Giggs had just enlivened the proceedings with a 60-yard dash and shot when the Welsh international, making his 350th appearance for United, was heavily involved in the move that led to Ugo Ehiogu illegally impeding van Nistelrooy in the penalty area.

At first it seemed as though van Nistelrooy's usual accuracy had simply deserted him when, running on to Giggs's smart flick, he ballooned his shot horribly over the crossbar, but the referee Mike Riley had noticed a sly tug from Ehiogu.

Van Nistelrooy finished emphatically from the penalty spot while Ehiogu was left to reflect on Riley's generosity for brandishing only a yellow card when it could have been red.

United seldom threatened to add to their lead, but in turn they were rarely troubled by Middlesbrough's attacking duo of Massimo Maccarone and Joseph-Desire Job.

Faced by a side playing well below their best, and with Keane conspicuous only by his absence, Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren may well reflect they could have headed back to Teesside with something to show for their industry had they displayed a greater sense of adventure.

Guardian Service.

MANCHESTER UTD: Barthez, Phil Neville, Silvestre, Blanc, Ferdinand, Beckham (O'Shea 90), Veron, Butt, Giggs, Scholes (Forlan 79), van Nistelrooy (Solskjaer 71). Subs Not Used: Ricardo, Pugh. Booked: Veron. Goal: van Nistelrooy 28 pen.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Stockdale, Ehiogu, Southgate, Cooper, Queudrue (Marinelli 72), Boateng, Geremi, Greening, Job, Maccarone (Whelan 73). Subs Not Used: Crossley, Gavin, Wilson. Booked: Southgate, Ehiogu.

Referee: M Riley (Leeds).