Boro v Man Utd photos

1 of 7 Sir Alex Ferguson's men start well in the opening period with Ruud van Nistelrooy proving to be a real handful

2 of 7 Man Utd's young Scottish sensation Darren Fletcher wastes no time getting into the thick of things at the Riverside

3 of 7 Danny Mills pays Man Utd's Quinton Fortune close attention before the South African's first-half shot rebounds off him into the Boro goal

4 of 7 Quinton Fortune is congratulated by his team-mates after his deflected shot gives Man Utd the lead

5 of 7 Paul Scholes fends off the close attentions of the Middlesbrough defence as the champions seek to protect their 1-0 lead

6 of 7 Darren Fletcher is sent off in the second half after two yellow cards, prompting a furious reaction from Man Utd players

7 of 7 Man Utd take their foot off the pedal in the second half but a 1-0 win sends four points clear at the top of the Premiership