They stunned Roma in their own backyard and the critics thought the Red Devils would continue from where they lift but as they say, one should never take even a second for granted on the football field, Man U faltered when they didn’t wish too. To their horror Middlesbrough stunned them at a snowy riverside with the score reading 2-2 at full time. It was a lacklustre Rooney who came from nowhere to score a goal which probably saved the day for Sir Alex Fergusson and his men.

United were in front within 10 minutes of the first half with the ever so consistent Christiano Ronaldo blasting the ball past the Boro net but then it was the Brazilian Afonso Alves who struck twice to leave Man U trailing and the capacity crowd at Riverside shrieking with excitement. Wayne Rooney came good at just the right time to level it for the Reds who were all but awestruck by that doubly strike from the Brazilian.

Sir Fergusson should also thanks Van Der Sar who made two brilliant saves in the dying moments to maintain the score as it is and also for the fact that he pulled away Ronaldo from getting into an argument with the referee. A card for Ronaldo with the point difference to mere three could have spelled deeper trouble for the Reds in their next affair.

The draw meant that they shared points with Boro, which means that Chelsea are now in with a real chance of clinching the title as they still have a showdown with the Reds and that two at Stamford Bridge. The League is now open wide and a single mistake from here means the end of the road, be it Chelsea or ManU at the receiving end.