Saturday

Man Utd v Middlesbrough

The title race is entering a critical phase, and Alex Ferguson's men can replace Leeds - involved in FA Cup action this weekend - at the top of the Premiership if they beat Middlesbrough at Old Trafford tomorrow in their rearranged match.

The Treble-winners could then stretch that advantage to three points if they win at Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday in the second of their two games in hand over Leeds.

But former Republic of Ireland defender Denis Irwin is not expecting an easy ride against Boro despite all their problems and he remembers too well that Middlesbrough are the last side to have won at Old Trafford back in December 1998.

Paul Scholes, recovered from a hernia operation, returns to Manchester United's squad. United reported no injuries from their 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday night.

Manchester United old boys Gary Pallister and Paul Ince return to the scene of some of their greatest triumphs as Middlesbrough attempt to upset the form book again.

Last weekend's scoreless draw at Liverpool halted Boro's slide down the table, and Bryan Robson knows a similar result at Old Trafford is a tall order.

Robson is without several key players through injury and will make late decisions on Christian Ziege, who is yet to regain full fitness after a knee ligament injury, and striker Brian Deane, who damaged his ribs playing for the reserves on Wednesday night.

Midfielder Robbie Mustoe is out with a back problem, defender Steve Vickers is sidelined for three weeks with an Achilles injury, and Paul Gascoigne is still recovering from a virus.