Rooney saved the Red Devils' blushes after spirited show by Middlesbrough (said by AFP, Middlesbrough)
Wayne Rooney's late equaliser rescued a point for Manchester United as they were pushed all the way by Middlesbrough in a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Riverside Stadium yesterday.
Middlesbrought's US$24 million club record signing Afonso Alves finally came good to break his duck with cool finished either side of half-time to threaten tabletopping United with a rare defeat.
But Sir Alex Ferguson's men displayed their title credentials by hitting back through Rooney's 17th goal of the season with 16 minutes left, as England striker swept home a low Park Ji-sung cross from close range with the aid of a deflection off defender David Wheater.
the hard-earned draw was enough to push United three points clear at the top of the table as they close in on their 10th Premier League crown.
United looked to be coasting thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's early opener-the prolific winger's 37th goal of quite an amazing season. But their failure to beat a spirited Middlesbrough side means that second-placed Chelsea retain hopes of preventing the Old Trafford Club from successfully defending their title.
Middlesbrough, who have over the years developed a reputation for reserving their best performances for the Premier Leagues big guns, showed tremendous character to force their way back and earn a fully merited draw.
Alves, who had failed to score in his first eight Boro appearances, brought an end to such and unwanted statistic 10 minutes before half-time to pull the hosts level.
Gary O'Neil's searching ball was flicked on by Jeremine Aliadiere, and despite the attentions of Michael Carrick, Alves lifted the ball over Edwin van der Sar from the edge of the area as United Conceded in the league for the first time in oveer eight hours.
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