United push destruct button

Manchester United 0; Middlesbrough 1: Usually when Manchester United suffer a league defeat in their own grandiose surroundings, Old Trafford has been able to comfort itself that the rarity of such an event renders it little more than an inconvenience.

On Saturday, however, an air of resignation had descended, an acceptance not only that United had all but surrendered the title, but that this team was not worthy of anything more than concluding the domestic campaign laced with envy and tortured by what-ifs.

No side that loses a quarter of their games can harbour credible aspirations of winning the championship, and United's eight defeats in 32 matches is damning evidence of their failures this season - their worst record since finishing sixth, behind Crystal Palace and Manchester City, among others, 11 years ago.

Writing off Alex Ferguson's players has long been a foolish pastime. On this occasion, however, they need an immediate swing if their hopes of a fourth successive title are not to disintegrate. An empurpled Ferguson was forced to concede as much after watching this laboured, listless performance, and with four consecutive away games to come, including Leeds United and Chelsea, the hegemony is close to being broken.

"We're going to have to win every game now," Gary Neville offered. "And we're going to need help from other teams, but we can't bank on that.

"Four years ago when we lost the title we dropped a lot of points at home. It's been the same this season. If you look at the defeats, say, against Bolton, West Ham and now Middlesbrough, that's nine points gone. If we had got them, the title would have been won already."

Alternatively, it is tempting to ponder how many more points might have been accrued had Ferguson not dispensed with the services of Andy Cole and Jaap Stam. Or, indeed, had he not tinkered with a highly accomplished midfield to accommodate that most extravagant of decorations, Juan Sebastian Veron. What if Paul Scholes had not been messed around so badly it was February before we were to see his best form? Every inquest has a verdict and, after such a reckless period of experimentation, United's is likely to be misadventure.

Nothing, however, should detract from Middlesbrough's stubborn display. They restricted their hosts to only two clear chances, one wasted by Ryan Giggs, the other by Ruud van Nistelrooy, and defended so stoutly that, late on, the Dutch striker resorted to jabbing a sly elbow into Robbie Stockdale's midriff.

In truth, it was the sharpest edge United found in the 81 minutes spent looking for an equaliser once Veron's preening in midfield had allowed the ubiquitous Benito Carbone to dispossess him and set up Alen Boksic for the goal.

How United missed Roy Keane. Without their irresistible force because of a hip injury, their attacks were borne from hope rather than expectation. Belief was in short supply, and when they needed a captain's performance, Giggs could not provide it. David Beckham, meanwhile, made a Lilliputian contribution, other than being booked for the second week running for abusing one of the referee's assistants.

Suddenly Steve McClaren's inaugural season with the Teessiders is developing into a success story, their only grievance being Steve Bennett's oafish decision to flourish a yellow card in Paul Ince's direction for what was clearly an accidental handball.

The repercussions are severe, with Ince's 10th booking this season prompting a two-match suspension that will include the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal.

"It was a stupid booking," said McClaren. "The referee did exactly the same with Mickael Silvestre, as well, and I thought that was harsh. You ask for consistency, but you don't mean consistently bad." Ince will be missed, if only because of his fearlessness. Abused throughout, the former United player delighted in taking his time leaving the pitch, strutting down the touchline like a champion fighter, eyeballing the home fans and engaging in a couple of verbal spats. Pure theatre.

Man of the match: Benito Carbone (Middlesbrough).

MANCHESTER UNITED: Barthez, Gary Neville, Johnsen, Blanc, Silvestre, Beckham, Butt, Veron (Scholes 58), Giggs, van Nistelrooy, Forlan (Fortune 82). Subs Not Used: Carroll, Phil Neville, O'Shea. Booked: Beckham, Veron, Silvestre, van Nistelrooy.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Stockdale, Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue, Greening (Wilkshire 21), Ince, Mustoe, Whelan, Boksic (Windass 79), Carbone. Subs Not Used: Crossley, Nemeth, Gavin. Booked: Queudrue, Ince. Goals: Boksic 9.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).