VIEWS FROM THE BROADSHEETS

THE INDIE

Manchester United's treble chance is still on, though at one stage in a classic Cup tie last night it looked as if they might be left to pursue a trifling Double of Premiership and Champions' League. Middlesbrough, semi-finalists last season, rallied splendidly from Wayne Rooney's early goal, only for the captain George Boateng, having headed them in front, to concede the penalty for handball from which Cristiano Ronaldo equalised.

"I am devastated. I can't believe it really," said Boateng afterwards. "I feel the referee has robbed us tonight and it is painful. It's a natural instinct that when a shot comes in you try and protect your face and neck. I was not deliberately trying to handball it."

Gareth Southgate's side, who have a better record against United over the past five years than any other club, will go to Old Trafford without any feelings of inferiority tomorrow week, with Manchester police hoping that Manchester City do not need a replay with Blackburn the same night - the only available date in an absurdly congested season, and one on which England's squad are supposed to be meeting up ahead of the internationals against Israel and Andorra.

Whoever goes through, neither side will stand accused of taking the easy road. Middlesbrough had required three replays in previous rounds to overcome opposition from lower divisions, two of them concluding in penalty shoot-outs. "We should have been at Wembley twice by now," Southgate joked. The run has suggested nerve, but also defensive fallibility in conceding 11 goals and both aspects were in evidence here.

In previous games Sir Alex Ferguson often juggled his squad with rest, recuperation and future fixtures in mind. He will do the same again for Saturday's game at Bolton and then the replay. Last night, however, United fielded a team as near to full strength as a recent string of injuries plus suspension to Paul Scholes allowed, only for Edwin van der Sar to strain his calf in the warm-up.

Kuszczak then had to save from Yakubu Ayegbeni , smartly, and Lee Cattermole, routinely, before Giggs, receiving Neville's chip, volleyed against the far post. Middlesbrough refused to be deflated and a minute before half-time an equaliser arrived to delight a majority of the capacity crowd, who had provided a proper Cup-tie atmosphere. Downing came back on to his right foot to cross and Rio Ferdinand headed out only as far as Arca, whose header was neatly brought down and driven in by Cattermole.

Stragglers were still returning from the tea-bars after the interval when another caco-phonous roar announced a second home goal. As Downing swung in a corner from the right, Boateng peeled off to the back post and arrived completely unmarked to head his first FA Cup goal for eight years.

United's response was vigorous, if only to defuse the anger that Ferguson undoubtedly felt at their defensive negligence. Rooney vainly claimed a penalty when he tumbled under Stuart Parnaby's challenge but the positive reaction was soon rewarded. In the 67th minute Ferdinand flicked on Giggs' corner and Boateng unaccountably put both hands up to block the ball. Ronaldo, entrusted with the penalty, even allowed himself the luxury of a pause in his run-up to commit the goalkeeper before knocking in his 17th goal of the season.

revenge is a dish best served cold, a blustery Riverside Stadium proved the ideal venue for Gareth Southgate to show Sir Alex Ferguson that he might not be so wet behind the ears after all.

Labelled "naïve" by his vastly more experienced opposite number three months ago in the wake of their spat over Cristiano Ronaldo's eagerness to taste Teesside turf, the Middlesbrough manager responded in what must have been highly satisfying fashion.

United's treble quest wobbled significantly, while Southgate remains squarely in the hunt for his first honour as a manager, less than eight months after making the quantum leap to the dugout. With 17 major trophies safely hived away during his Old Trafford epoch, Ferguson's tally might take some catching, but the Boro manager has to start somewhere.

As a former defender who attracted Ferguson's interest a decade ago, the irony of George Boateng's goal that so nearly settled the contest at the outset of the second-half will not be lost on Southgate.

Post-match thoughts, over a swift glass of red with the Scot, of a rather cheeky offer of advice to relay to United's back four, who simply stood and admired the Middlesbrough captain's header, remained just that.

Best not to risk the hairdryer, that bane of the United player, which has also been known to be turned on to opposing managers. Ever the diplomat, Southgate knows Ferguson is a man who is probably best kept onside. "We just clicked tonight," enthused the United manager of his side's performance. "The rhythm was back, the speed was back and it was terrific to see that. The name of the game's winning and that's the best kind of energiser there is. But Middlesbrough are still in the Cup, and we'll approach the replay in the same way as we did this game."

The Cup pedigree of these two sides couldn't have been in more stark contrast, yet, as Southgate was at pains to point out, it wasn't a matter of being a better club or even a better side, more a case of bettering their foe for 90 minutes. They came close to that, but had to settle for matching them.

"They paid us the respect of fielding a full-strength side and we're disappointed not to win after being ahead," he said. "We have to go to Old Trafford and win, but that's something we've done twice in the last five years. We seem to be doing things the hard way, but I can't praise the players enough."

This was a rattling good Cup tie and, while a replay on a Monday night in the week England are preparing to play Israel might be the last thing anyone needs, few spectators will complain if the action is anything like as exciting.

Manchester United supporters are not exactly famous for worrying about England in any case and neutrals will know better than to expect excitement from Tel Aviv on Saturday week. Middlesbrough went a goal down, recovered to take a 2-1 lead, then were denied their day of glory when a penalty was harshly awarded against them.

This was another lucky escape for United in other words, who remain on course for a possible Treble despite losing players and their form of a few months ago.

However, their injury problems are deepening on a daily basis. Edwin van der Sar had to cry off with a calf strain sustained while warming up, so Tomasz Kuszczak was hastily promoted from the bench and Chris Eagles sent to sit with the substitutes, leaving the visitors without a recognised goalkeeper in reserve. Kuszczak was in action straight away, making a save to deny Stewart Downing after the England winger's run behind the United defence had been superbly picked out by an inch-perfect pass from Julio Arca.

On the ground where he won a highly contentious penalty in the league three months ago, Cristiano Ronaldo's every touch brought resounding boos, treatment that merely encouraged the winger to increase the quotient of dummies and step-overs. This in turn resulted in him being clattered by a combination of Lee Cattermole and Stuart Parnaby, though it was the confusion caused by Ronaldo swapping from the right wing to the left - as advertised by a song from United's travelling support - that led to the opening goal.

For a good 10 minutes the Treble was off, United were not going to grace the new Wembley and Gareth Southgate could be safely crossed off the list of managers worried about where Sven-Goran Eriksson might be turning up next. Then, for the second Saturday in succession, fortune smiled on 'lucky United' (copyright J Mourinho).

To be more accurate fate turned its back on Boateng, who could consider himself decidedly unlucky to concede a penalty for handball. Rob Styles, the referee, was right on the spot when Giggs swung over a corner and will doubtless argue there was contact and intent need not come into it, but Boateng could hardly even have seen the ball coming as Ferdinand was standing right in front of him before ducking down at the last minute to attempt a back header. Ronaldo cemented his lasting unpopularity in these parts by gratefully accepting the opportunity to score from the spot.

Mark Viduka and Yakubu had chances before the end, but United were not going to slip up three times. Boro will do well to get as close at Old Trafford.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had said a fortnight ago that it was too early to talk about trebles, except, of course, for the ones dispensed in long glasses filled with ice. But since then, safe passage to the quarter-finals of the Champions League has been negotiated and, despite almost tripping up here, United will fancy themselves in the replay en route to the final at Cardiff, sorry Wembley. Whoever thought we would be saying that so soon?

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, whose own team are going for an unprecedented four-timer, would have been enjoying a right old chuckle as Middlesbrough engineered a stirring fight-back to take the lead, even if a United exit would have left them fresher and less restricted by fixture congestion in their attempt to close out the Premiership title.

But he has also seen enough of United's good fortune in recent weeks to know they never retire on their stool. And when Rio Ferdinand, who was a little lax for Boro's first goal, back-headed a Ryan Giggs corner against George Boateng's hand, Cristiano Ronaldo dispatched the penalty.

Suspensions and injuries are mounting for United, who lost goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar in the warm-up, a strangely regular occurrence in football these days, bringing another outing for Poland's Tomasz Kuszczak. They have also had to rely on Lady Luck riding shotgun, securing late Premiership wins with goals in Fergie time. Here, though, at least for the first half, they looked more like their old, fluid selves. Ferguson agreed, saying: "That was the best we've played for weeks."

Wayne Rooney had already carelessly driven wide from a knock down by Henrik Larsson, making his final farewell wave, before giving United the lead. He appeared boxed in by defenders when taking a short pass from Giggs, yet with a quick shimmy, a couple of short strides and an almost nonchalant swing of his right foot, the ball was in the corner of Mark Schwarzer's net.

The Football Association and the TV channels had conspired to strip another layer of magic off the competition by playing the only Saturday quarter-final at tea-time, but this was no genteel afternoon nibble, it was a full-blooded battle and a banquet of fine football.

Afterwards Boateng admitted he was "devastated" by referee Rob Styles' penalty award. "I feel the referee has robbed us and it is painful," he said. "It's a natural instinct that when a shot comes in you try and protect your face and neck. I was not deliberately trying to handball it."

But Southgate refused to dwell on the incident, saying: "We are disappointed but that is a measure of how far we have come. I thought the penalty was a bit harsh but we don't complain about referees. Now we've got to go to Old Trafford and win, which we've done twice in the last five years." As for Fergie, he added: "We got a bit sloppy for their second goal but we never gave up." And the treble dream? "We're still there ", he said.

SUNDAY TIMES

Sir Alex Ferguson restated his intention not to plan retirement any time soon. "I have another couple of years, a couple of songs left in me yet," he said. The prospect of another replay will not have the old boy crooning, but how the FA Cup needed the music Manchester United and Middlesbrough made.

There have been too many dirgeful matches to make this year's competition a classic, but this was a tie of glorious convulsions led by United and then Middlesbrough before arriving at a draw and a replay on March 19. The home team felt aggrieved at the decision by Rob Styles, the referee, which enabled Cristiano Ronaldo to make it 2-2 from the penalty spot but, as an outcome, parity was just.

Gareth Southgate's men were excellent, keeping their nerve after going behind during an early period where United threatened to shred them and taking charge through the attacking of their midfield quartet, of which Lee Cattermole and then George Boateng scored. Boateng, though, was left anguished when Henrik Larsson flicked on a Ryan Giggs corner and, having raised his hands involuntarily, the ball struck him on an arm. It was one of those grey-area decisions and Styles elected to award the penalty. Ronaldo, checking his run and staring out Mark Schwarzer, rammed the equaliser to the goalkeeper's right.

The FA Cup, this year, has had a shocking lack of shocks but there was a surprise when Ferguson's team emerged. Edwin Van der Sar, down on the original teamsheet, had strained his calf warming up and Tomasz Kuszczak took his place.

A Pole without polish is the verdict on this goalkeeper of many, but Peter Schmeichel could not have done better when Kuszczak faced Stuart Downing in the seventh minute. Slipped clear by a gorgeous reverse pass from Julio Arca, Downing was 10 yards out and with time to compose his finish but Kuszczak ensured he presented as large a barrier as possible by standing wide and tall and blocked Downing's shot with his body.

He was impressive again when fashioning a one-handed save to deny Yakubu, who turned sharply on a Mark Viduka head-flick and leathered in a left foot shot. Thirty minutes were played by then but Middlesbrough had spent the time between their chances being pulled around by United's movement and been punished by Wayne Rooney's right boot.

United's other surprise had been the composition of their lineup. Rooney was deployed not alongside Larsson but on the left of a three-man attack which launched their manoeuvres from behind the Swedish striker. Ryan Giggs, the deepest lying, played centrally — a role he is likely to fulfil when Larsson goes. Middlesbrough could not quite pin down Giggs, Rooney or the other of the trio, Ronaldo, and Larsson exacerbated their uncertainties by staying mobile and taking up clever positions.

Larsson likes to bid farewell in knockout competitions. His last contribution to Barcelona was in the Champions League final, when he effectively won them the tournament by setting up goals for Samuel Eto'o and Juliano Belletti. He brought the curtain down on a Celtic career by scoring twice in a Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline. Martin O'Neill, the manager, described him as a magician after that, but it was a struggle to conjure anything here.

The conditions didn't exactly lend themselves to the strengths of Larsson, Cristiano Ronaldo or any other of the players who have excelled in United's increasingly captivating assault on the treble. For all that the sky was clear and the sun warm, a blustery gale made wind tunnels of Middlesbrough's litter-strewn streets and, when daylight gave way to an old-fashioned cup-tie under the lights, the Riverside felt more exposed than ever on its docklands perch. All of which amounted to an unexpected bonus for the hosts, who had demanded that every legitimate measure be undertaken to ensure that it was as uncomfortable an experience as possible for their feted opponents.

It was the ground's first sell-out since last April, when Steaua Bucharest were the visitors in the Uefa Cup. Urged to "rock the Riverside", the home support duly obliged, although not without the help of a bigger United following than is usually permitted in these parts. The local council, apparently, doesn't much care for their habit of standing up, but on this occasion the rules were relaxed so that 4,000 of them could squeeze themselves in behind the goal.

Not that the vibrant atmosphere was contrived. Ronaldo made sure of that. If, as they say, a player's worth can be measured in the hostility to which he is subjected, the Portuguese winger has clearly reserved much of his damage for Middlesbrough. He is hardly accustomed to a respectful round of applause on his fortnightly trips away from Old Trafford, but here there was venom in the booing with which his every touch was greeted. Three months ago, Gareth Southgate all but branded him a cheat after the player's tumble in the box earned United a controversial penalty.