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MANCHESTER UNITED v MIDDLESBROUGH - SOUTHGATE DISMISSES RONALDO CONCERNS
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has warned his players they cannot afford to worry about what Manchester United might do to them.
Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo, the man whose late penalty secured Monday night's FA Cup quarter-final replay at Old Trafford, turned in a stunning individual display in Saturday's 4-1 Barclays Premiership demolition of Bolton to serve further warning of his excellent form.
Striker Wayne Rooney, who opened the scoring in the 2-2 draw at the Riverside Stadium, helped himself to a superb double to serve warning to Southgate's men that they will have to be at their best to stand any chance of keeping their cup dream alive.
However, the former Boro skipper insists they can only concentrate on themselves.
He said: "We cannot be concerned about what they are doing, we have got to be focused on what are our strengths.
"We have got to go there and take them on. We have done that in the past and that gives us the belief we can do it again.
"We are looking a decent side, we have got results against just about everybody.
"In matches against top-class opposition, we are capable of big performances."
Southgate's confidence is well-founded - Boro have beaten United five times in their last 13 meetings, two of those wins coming at Old Trafford.
However, they were woeful in defeat by City at the weekend as goals from Sylvain Distin and Emile Mpenza deservedly handed Stuart Pearce's side victory.
Southgate's decision to rest key men Jonathan Woodgate and Mark Viduka was perhaps understandable, but he later admitted he had perhaps sent out the wrong message to his players.
Both men will return at Old Trafford, but there remain question marks over midfielder Julio Arca as he battles against a groin injury and defender Emanuel Pogatetz, who was carried off with a knee injury on Saturday.
Boro missed Arca's artistry against City and while both Abel Xavier and Andrew Davies could line up alongside Woodgate should Pogatetz miss out, the Austrian's absence would be a big blow.
Saturday's defeat was only Boro's second in 16 games in all competitions since the turn of the year and the destiny of their season could rely on what happens at Old Trafford.
A trip to Wembley remains the dream as the Teessiders look to go one better than last season when they were beaten by West Ham in the semi-finals.
However, their manager is hoping an extended cup run will also pay dividends on the Premiership front.
Southgate said: "I would not say it has kept our season alive, but it has given us something else to focus on and something different to look forward to.
"That is the same for the fans - it is great to have that excitement away from the bread and butter of the league.
"A run in the cup can boost a team's confidence and winning in any competition is a nice habit to get into.
"But we still have another eight league games to go and we still think we have something to play for in the Premiership.
"It is like the first season I was here. We made the semi-final of the FA Cup and that coincided with an upturn in our league form."
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