da bet esporte： Manchester United host Middlesbrough on New Year’s Eve knowing a victory will bring them level on points with Tottenham Hotspur in fifth, with the Lilywhites due to play the next day away against Watford.
da premier bet： The Red Devils are on a five-game winning streak, their best form of the season. Stretching that to six would further prove that Mourinho has turned the corner with United after an indifferent start to the season.
In Middlesbrough, though, they find tough opponents. Boro have already travelled away to Arsenal and Manchester City this season, holding both to a draw – showing how Aitor Karanka’s side can be a tough nut to crack on their day.
United have no room for error right now, so they must find a way to break down their visitors and a path to victory.
What must they do to secure the result? Here are THREE ways Man United can avoid an upset vs. Boro on Saturday…
Bring the game to them for the entire 90 minutes
The only way United are going to wear Boro down is with work ethic. With Karanka’s side likely to have a packed defence and a lack of attacking ambition, the Red Devils will claim the vast majority of possession and must maintain their drive and focus in the Boro half.
This match that could go to the wire and that energy is going to need to be in United’s performance for the entire 90 minutes. If they keep knocking on the door, they should get their reward of a victory.
The likes of Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are going to be vital in these efforts. Pogba especially, with his tireless running and direct tendencies could be the man that finds the key pass to punish Middlesbrough.
Stifle Negredo
Alvaro Negredo is a player of undoubted quality who has a 10-year track record of scoring goals. He’s the one player in the Middlesbrough ranks that has the ability to punish United and if Mourinho’s men can snuff his threat out, Middlesbrough will struggle to find goals at Old Trafford.
Negredo has scored five Premier League goals this season, almost a third of Boro’s total.
He’s likely to have a fairly lonely 90 minutes with Boro expected to deploy a 4-5-1 system that’s focus is primarily defending. Still, United can’t take him for granted and must remain vigilant.
If Boro are to cause an upset, he’s likely to be the man that steps up for Karanka’s side.
If all else fails, have a pop
As noted, Middlesbrough have already been to Arsenal and Man City this season, holding them to draws. Arsenal even failed to score against them and they’ve hardly been lacking for goals recently.
If Man United cannot break Boro down with a clear cut chance, perhaps a goal from distance might be the order of the day.
With Middlesbrough preferring to stand off opponents when defending, there could be an opportunity around the box to have a pop at goal. United possess plenty of talent in their side that can score from distance and it’s an approach to keep an eye on this Saturday.