MIDDLESBROUGH have moved to diffuse their explosive relationship with Manchester United, and winger Cristiano Ronaldo, ahead of their meeting at Old Trafford today.
The clubs clashed four times last season, including two FA Cup ties, with United winning three and drawing one of those encounters.
But United’s 2-1 league victory at the Riverside in December was marred by accusations that Ronaldo dived to win a crucial penalty following a challenge from goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate publicly labelled the Portuguese star a “diver”, an accusation that ensured he fell foul of Ronaldo’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Now, with the teams renewing their rivalry, Middlesbrough defender Andy Taylor is anxious to downplay any suggestion that they have a score to settle with the brilliant United player. “It did leave a bitter taste at the time,” said Taylor. “But later, when you think about it, if it had been one of our players who did it and we scored, it would be a different matter. He got a lot of stick for that, and for diving in the World Cup, but he has shown good character to come back. The publicity could have broken a young player like him but he came back and that’s impressive. ”
“As far as I am concerned, he’s got everything – power, pace, tricks and he scores. He’s one of the best in the world. But the way I look at it, I have nothing to lose against him. He’s battered a lot of people, established internationals, so if he does it to me, what’s the difference? But, if I do well, people will notice.”
Boro visit Old Trafford hovering perilously above the Premiership’s relegation zone, with just one point from the last available 15, while United are on a run of ten consecutive victories in the Premiership and Champions’ League. “It’s daunting, going to Old Trafford,” said Taylor. “But if you go there like that, scared, they will know it and you will get battered.
“You have got to give it your best shot, we’ve got to be positive. They don’t come any better than Ronaldo and if you don’t want to play against him then you don’t want to be a footballer. You’ve got to go there with no fear, that’s certainly my attitude.”
The fixture will presumably give Ferguson the opportunity to rotate his squad, especially with the eagerly-awaited visit to current leaders Arsenal looming next week.
In the wake of the impressive Champions League win at Dynamo Kiev in midweek, United’s veteran winger Ryan Giggs has no concerns about the quality in depth in the club’s squad even if injury problems appear to be mounting.
Paul Scholes injured his knee ahead of that 4-2 victory in the Ukraine while Patrice Evra was lost in the warm-up, joining an injury list already featuring Gary Neville, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick and Louis Saha.
But Giggs said: “There was no disruption. The manager has chopped and changed this season already, whether that be due to injuries, or suspensions or whatever and we have coped with it, just as we coped with what happened in Kiev.
“It just proves the value of having a good squad.”
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