Preview: Man Utd vs Boro

Manchester United and Middlesbrough clash for the 99th time in the league and United are starting to find the form that took them to the Premiership title last season. Middlesbrough are at the wrong end of the table, and after losing four on the trot in all competitions the last thing Gareth Southgate wanted was a trip to the champions.

The Red Devils are out to follow up their impressive 4-2 Champions League win away to Dynamo Kiev, with an eighth straight league victory to jump over Arsenal and return to the top of the table.

United may be able to welcome back summer signing Owen Hargreaves, and his return would be a welcome boost given the injuries to Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes in the United engine room.

The Teessiders know that a fourth straight league defeat would leave them fourth bottom, just one point above the relegation zone.

Southgate: man on the moon

"I remember, before we beat Chelsea a couple of years ago, I said that if we can put a man on the moon we can beat Chelsea.

"If you believe they put a man on the moon then anything is possible and I maintain that going into this game.

"They have got some class acts who we respect but I'm determined that we are going there to win and not sit back."

Manchester United are able to include England midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who has been out with a knee problem.

Paul Scholes is out with a knee injury but Patrice Evra should play despite suffering a calf strain in midweek.

Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere is in contention for a place after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Defenders Robert Huth and Emanuel Pogatetz are not yet ready to return, while Julio Arca, Brad Jones and Matthew Bates remain sidelined.

Teams

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, O'Shea, Evra, Fletcher, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson, Nani, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez, Eagles, Simpson.

Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Turnbull, Young, Woodgate, Riggott, Taylor, Downing, Boateng, Rochemback, Aliadiere, Mido, Sanli, O'Neil, Craddock, Lee, Wheater, Cattermole, Hutchinson.

Eyefootball Premiership Predictor

Man Utd 3-0 Middlesbrough

This has a United win written all over it. Middlesbrough are playing Utd at the wrong time after 7 consecutive victories, and nothing suggests that this result will not end up in another win for Utd.

Prediction: 3-0 to Man Utd

Goalscorer: Tevez