Possibly because he doesn’t fit in to way that Chris Wilder wants to play but more likely that he thinks he is too aggressive and likely to get sent off?
I was watching the AFCON semi-final and interested to see two players with Middlesbrough connections coming on as Cameroon substitutes; Lea Siliki and Moukoudi. Also Mohammed Shawky in the Egyptian coaching staff. I'm not sure if I've missed any others.
Now counting down until the 'big game'. It will be a 7.00am Saturday kick-off here in Oz.
Safe travels to anyone going.
UTB
I've been out of the loop this week and only just noticed the Man Utd v Boro game is live on ITV tonight - though I'll be watching more in hope than expectation as probably 9 times out of 10 it would see the hosts progress into the 5th round.
Still, you never know and United will need to be up for the game and that's not always the case when big clubs are expected to win. Thanks to Andy for his match preview and making the point that Rangnick's side tend to let in the odd goal. Whether Boro can exploit their narrow shape is another matter as while Jones on the right offers potential, there's not much threat down the left unless Wilder tinkers with his options.
It at least sounds like Wilder means business tonight as he has apparently banned his players from swapping shirts with Ronaldo as he declared they're not going to Old Trafford as tourists!
I don't think Boro can afford to 'rest' any players for this game - unless it's Connolly who has so far appeared not quite match-fit and that would be likely more exposed against top PL opposition.
It's also been a while since we've seen Boro's passing game displayed on the pitch with far too many hopeful long balls looking for a way out. I would like to see Boro trying to keep possession better tonight as Man Utd may have far more pace and tricks going forward than is comfortable for our midfield and defence. We can't really afford to pick up too many early yellow cards against this type of opposition - especially with VAR in operation and a chance of someone seeing red.
So it's fingers crossed and just hoping Boro give a decent performance and take their chances and try to keep calm. Hopefully Jones can demonstrate to Ian Wright why Djed Spence is on loan and perhaps our own Arsenal loanee Balogun can cach his eye too.
When the draw was announced, I really felt that we could create a major upset. We were in form and United in some disarray.
I'm much less optimistic now.
United seem to have their act together a little more, whilst we have recently been much less potent than we were against Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Forest.
Our new attack is lightweight, and currently represents a step backwards from where we were. And as Werder suggests, there is little threat coming from our left.
Our best prospect is that we can hold out against early pressure, hope that Jones can do the trick again and that Crooks can offer a threat from set pieces. Perhaps Tav will finally step up and put in a performance worthy of his talent.
We will make a game of it if we treat the match like a proper cup-tie, get stuck in to them, roared on by our supporters, and all of the neutrals watching from home. If United are lacklustre their supporters will soon get on to them.
I was there for a similar occasion in the early 60s when we went out without a whimper at Old Trafford, losing 3-0, offering not the slightest threat, and seemingly being content to be on the same pitch as Charlton, Law and the rest.
Wilder is spot on. We are not going there to sight see or star gaze, but to give them a game. That's a minimum requirement, and that, I hope, is what we will get.
Given our recent struggles I don't see us winning, but if we can keep the deficit down to one until late in the game we could give them a fright. Putting on my Mystic Meg hat,I see United surviving a late penalty appeal when Jones goes down in the box, only for VAR to reveal that there was no contact, United sealing the game with a last gasp second as Boro commit to attack.
2-0 to United but they know they have been in a match.
Hope I'm wrong, at least about the result.
Come on Boro let’s go for it I’ll settle for a 1 1 draw and we win 4 3 on penalties !
LETS HAVE YOUR FORECAST DIASBORIANS
YOUV’E ALL GONE VERY QUIET !!!!
OFB
OK then OFB.
Its FA Cup magic for me. 2 -0 with 5 minutes left on the clock. Ronaldo wins a penalty- bang 2-1....squeaky bums and the ghost of Fergie time as the 97th minute crawls to an end and we've just recorded the biggest cup upset of the day 😁
Might as well have a go:
Head - Man U 4 - Boro 1.
Heart - Man U 1 - Boro 2.
That's it, then. Fifth Round here we come. (In a REAL Dream World, we'd meet Hartlepool , fresh from their conquest of Palace, at the Riverside in Round 5).
Them: A few names you may recognise including the one Boro must not swap shirts with...
If it goes to penalties I'll probably need to pace myself with the refreshments as it will be going on till near midnight local time 😴
I'm not sure if it would be better for Boro if it went as long as possible at 0-0 - if they score early it could be a beating but if Boro score first too early it will wake them up.
So I'll go for a late 1-0 to Boro!
The last time I predicted a Boro defeat was probably Warnock’s last game away at West Brom. A sign of how content I’ve been since I guess.
Glorious, spirited defeat tonight though I’m afraid. Man U 3-2 Boro.
Greetings everyone.
I think that the first fifteen minutes will be crucial as everyone will be on edge. I hope that we come out fast because if we ship an early goal, it could be a nasty night. We need to get through and then see the game settle into a more steady shape.
A goalless first half will leave it all to play for although I fear that Man U will then be the ones to nick it.
1-0 to someone.
utb
This is the biggest test of the season. Just look at the teams - not one Boro player would get into United’s team.
If United perform to their abilities then we’ve virtually no chance.
So I wouldn’t be surprised at 3-0 or 4-0.
Boro’s best chance is 10 behind the ball to frustrate United and hope to get away with say a 1-0 defeat.
So the performance tonight is more important than the result.
Philip of Huddersfield
So it’s longer odds on Man Utd beating Boro 3-1 tonight at 10-1 than it is on Boro being promoted this season 7-1 ,amazing!
Well Boro not yet disgraced but the gulf is clear.
No outfield player has let Boro down but on a night like tonight you need a hero in goal.
We have Joe Lumley.
Missed penalty offside goal chalked off I’ll settle for 1 0 at half time
OFB
Well its 1-0 could be 4-0, there is a chasm in class
Well Boro struggling to keep the ball for long enough to mount an attack and to be honest could have gone into half time 3 or 4 down on another day. Man Utd certainly look a class above and a yard quicker so 0-1 is not a bad 45 minute result given what has unfolded. We need a goal just to give some belief but another Utd goal will be too much.
Same problem as first half at Blackburn; nothing sticking up front. Watmore should really be on for either of the front two, and Coburn couldn't do any worse.
We are very lucky to be still in the game, but we are, so we really have to give it a go in the second half.
Only Howson showing any quality in midfield.
Change both strikers then and go for it.
We have struggled with our midfield in theChampionship. Tonight the gulf is enormous.
Luck with the rule change that decided Watmore's handball was accidental so we got the equaliser but can the exhausted team get a winner in extra time?
Well somehow Boro have rode their luck and heroically stuck to the task and now it's down to penalties - Never thought boro would get to 120 minutes after the first half - can we now do it...
Penalties. I'm into my last quarter bottle of Malbec!
Heroes all.
Well done lads.
Every single penalty a winner.
So just to remind everyone
wno said extra time and boro win on penalties ?
OFB
OFB
OFB
Can we do it....Yessssss we can!!! Get in 😆 Well done Boro excellent penalties by all (OK Payero made my heart skip a beat) Won't sleep for a while yet adrenaline is still pumping after that shoot-out - Boro's name on the cup anyone...