‘Ruud van Nistelrooy provided Manchester United skipper Roy Keane with the perfect post-operation present by ramming home the match-winning penalty in their 1-0 victory against Middlesbrough.’
TELEGRAPH
‘Deprived of their main driving force, Manchester United could find only second gear last night but it was still enough to carry them past a disappointing Middlesbrough side at Old Trafford. As United were rising slowly to fourth in the Premiership, Roy Keane was beginning his recovery from a hip operation and his team lacked passion and energy without him.
Too quiet, often far too unadventurous, United had no one to stir them into really threatening life without Keane. David Beckham, captain in Keane's absence, tried to get the team going, tried to rouse an alarmingly noiseless crowd. Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes also attempted to impose their class on a defensively resolute Boro side, who missed the cutting-edge outlet of the injured Alen Boksic.’
GUARDIAN
‘It was, indeed, an unusually vapid performance from a United side that seldom threatened to extend their lead. It is inconceivable that Ferguson's players would have been so one-paced had Keane been around to spread his invective, urge on his colleagues and take the game by the scruff of its neck. Neither Nicky Butt nor Juan Sebastian Veron could dominate the centre of midfield and Giggs and Beckham flitted in and out.
Yet Middlesbrough failed to prey on their hosts' vulnerabilities and managed only two shots on target all night. Faced by a side playing well below their best, and with Keane conspicuous only by his absence, McClaren may reflect that they could have had something to show for their industry had they displayed a greater sense of adventure.’
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