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MANCHESTER UNITED v MIDDLESBROUGH - SOUTHGATE WANTS A SLICE OF LUCK
Gareth Southgate hopes Middlesbrough get their share of the luck at Old Trafford on Saturday after claiming his side have suffered a trio of spot-kick injustices in previous meetings this season.
In fact, the Boro boss believes his men have had suffered rough justice in clashes against three of the top four sides during the current Barclays Premiership campaign.
Liverpool's debatable spot-kick at Anfield on Wednesday night - awarded when Andrew Davies was adjudged to have fouled Peter Crouch - was the fifth such incident of its kind, according to Southgate.
The most notable controversy was the penalty awarded to United at the Riverside on December 2, when Cristiano Ronaldo went to ground following a challenge from goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
The Boro players were incensed, claiming the Portuguese winger dived, and TV evidence appeared to back up that opinion.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of the incident, further games between the sides were marred by disputed penalties.
George Boateng was adjudged to have handled inside the area during United's FA Cup sixth round draw at Middlesbrough last month.
And, in a bad-tempered Old Trafford replay, Ronaldo again won a penalty, this time following a challenge from Jonathan Woodgate.
That incident led to a pitchside confrontation between the two benches and, later, James Morrison's sending off for a frustrated lunge at Ronaldo.
Southgate believes it's time his side enjoyed the benefit of the doubt.
He said: "I think from our point of view we've had three games against Manchester United and three penalties have gone against us that have affected the result.
"We've also been away at Arsenal and they were awarded a penalty which altered the result.
"We've had a harsh penalty at Liverpool this week which has a big impact on the outcome and I feel we are due a slice of luck in our favour.
"All three games (against United) would have been either won or drawn but for penalty decisions that have gone against us."
While United are flying in their search for the Premiership title, Boro are struggling and have won away only once all season.
Despite the odds, Southgate feels his side can spring a surprise and he has history on his side, because Boro have lost on only one of their previous five top flight visits to Old Trafford, winning twice.
He continued: "We know they are an outstanding team and at times they've been on top against us in the recent meetings, but we've always stood our corner.
"They are a team that can hurt you, there's no doubt about that, but we feel that's not happened to us in the past.
"We've got to maintain our discipline, it's important we defend properly and that we concentrate, that we are aggressive but we have to be disciplined in our play and keep 11 men on the field.
"We slightly lost our discipline last time."
The Boro manager would not confirm whether he would man-mark in-form Ronaldo, admitting the leaders pose problems all over the pitch.
He said: "We know it's very difficult to keep Ronaldo quiet. He was outstanding in all the games we've played against them. We know we have to defend very well.
"But we know the talent they have got in their side, there's no point marking one individual because they've got another four or five matchwinners.
"I saw them play against Sheffield United and they won at a canter, they never really had to go into fifth gear.
"If we give them a game that pushes them all the way then maybe we will come out on top this time.
"We're playing the form team in the country - the team at the top of the table. We know the size of the task but it's a game we're looking forward to.
"We've got to be at our best and hope they have an off day."
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
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