Middlesbrough will play their first game under interim manager Steve Agnew against Manchester United. The Riverside club decided to relieve Aitor Karanka of his duties on Thursday and the fans would hope that this decision changes the relegation battling club’s fortune like that of Leicester City.
The Foxes registered a shocking win over Liverpool in the same week their title-winning manager Claudio Ranieri was sacked. And to Agnew’s advantage, he will have his task cut out as United remain without their top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Boro are currently in the 19th position in the league table running winless in their last 10 Premier League games. They are three points away from safety with just 11 games remaining and Agnew could cement his position in these weeks.
However, Boro’s recent record isn’t very encouraging. They are winless in their last 12 meetings with Manchester United in all competitions, and United have found scoring pretty much easy away at Boro as they have never gone goalless in the last 14 away trips. Scoring, on the other hand, has been a big problem for Boro this season. They have scored just three goals in the last 10 games and are also the side in the league to attempt the fewest shots (65).
Strongest Middlesbrough vs Manchester United XI
Defence
Victor Valdes is expected to start under the bar after getting rested for the FA Cup tie against Manchester City as Brad Guzan took that position. His experience would be of paramount importance against Manchester United.
The defence is pretty much expected to remain the same, given their supreme defensive display this season. The left-back would be former United player Fabio while the other flank should be taken by Antonio Barragan. The central defensive duo is likely to be Ben Gibson and Dael Fry.
Calum Chambers is put with a foot injury and is doubtful for the game, and Bernardo Espinosa was subbed last game following an ankle injury. Daniel Ayala is also out with a hamstring injury.
Midfield
We expect the midfield to remain the same as the one that started against City. The three-man midfield should be Adam Clayton, Marten de Roon alongside skipper Grant Leadbitter. Clayton would take the anchor role with the other two moving up.
Attack
Quite surprisingly, Karanka had decided to bench many of his quality attackers in the crunch game against City, and we expect Agnew to bring them back. Gaston Ramirez should take his place on the left flank replacing Stuani with Adama Traore on the other one. Negredo is expected to replace new recruit Rudy Gestede.
