Manchester Utd v Middlesbrough:BRYAN ROBSON will feel "a little bit strange" as he sits in a TV studio and analyses the nuances of Manchester United's meeting with Middlesbrough at Old Trafford tonight. In previous incarnations Robson wore the United captain's armband and, later, urged his Middlesbrough side to victory from the Old Trafford technical area.
"I'd like United to win - I think they can beat Liverpool and Chelsea to the title but they need the three points more than Middlesbrough who are on a bit of a bad run but hopefully not in any real danger of relegation," he said.
Robson's managerial career may not have delivered as much as it once promised but he never permitted his purist passing principles to be compromised.
"I've got firm beliefs on how football should be played. That's why I love watching United with their composure, passing, movement and constant positional inter-changing," he said. "And why I applaud and admire the type of football Gareth Southgate is trying to play with his very young team at Middlesbrough. They're inconsistent and, because they lack a bit of experience, you never know quite what you're going to get but they've got real pace and their passing and movement against Arsenal recently was very good.
"Gareth has got to try and keep his best players but he's got to find out what Stewart Downing really wants. You can't keep a player at all costs - but, if you sell someone as good as Downing, you've got to get the right replacement. And whereas Manchester United now have the perfect balance between youth and experience I feel Gareth could do with a couple of experienced players to help his youngsters."
Southgate requires midfield reinforcements. Robson admits this is an area where United looked thin earlier in the season. "Owen Hargreaves's injury hasn't helped," he said. "And, like Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick was injured for a while. But Michael's fit and in great form. And I like the look of Anderson, though he's inexperienced in the role."
Indeed Robson, who is mightily encouraged by the emergence of Rafael and Jonny Evans in defence, suspects United's sticky start might have lulled their rivals into a false sense of security.
"I think United's squad is stronger than Chelsea's and Liverpool's," he said. "And United play the best football. The only danger is that, if they keep progressing in the Champions League, things might get a bit hectic."
Brazilian full-back Rafael may be introduced into a youthful defence missing both Rio Ferdinand, who is resting a worrying back problem, and Patrice Evra - serving a four-match ban.
Changes are almost certain in midfield, so main interest will surround the possible return of Dimitar Berbatov - who travelled to Japan but picked up a virus en route, which ensured he played no part in the tournament itself.
