Middlesbrough vs. Manchester United: Team News, Preview, Live-Stream, TV Info
Middlesbrough will host Manchester United at the Riverside Stadium on Sunday in their first game since sacking manager Aitor Karanka. Boro will be fighting for their right to stay in the Premier League, with the club mired in the relegation places, second from bottom and five points short of safety.
As for United, they need to win to keep their bid for a top-four finish on track. United are seventh, six points behind bitter rivals Liverpool in fourth.
However, manager Jose Mourinho's men could take full advantage of Liverpool facing third-placed Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium later on Sunday.
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Before a preview and closer look at the team news, here are the schedule and viewing details.
Date: Sunday, March 19
Time: 12 p.m. GMT. 8 a.m. ET.
TV Info: BT Sport 1. NBCSN.
Live Stream: BT Sport App. NBC Sports App.
Preview
Middlesbrough's need to win is arguably greater than United's, if only marginally. There's no denying how big a blow it would be for a club promoted last summer to fall straight out of England's top flight after it took them seven seasons to return.
Boro find themselves in trouble again because of a chronic lack of goals. Middlesbrough are the lowest scorers in the Premier League, having found the net just 19 times, per the division's official website.
Boro's cause won't be helped by target man Rudy Gestede, who is likely to miss the match with a hamstring problem, according to Beya Kabelu of The Sun. The same source revealed how defenders George Friend, Daniel Ayala and Arsenal loanee Calum Chambers will also miss out.
United's chief injury concerns involve their striking department, specifically the absence of fit forwards. Both Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney missed games against Chelsea and FC Rostov in the FA Cup UEFA Europa League respectively.
Mourinho provided details about Rooney's issue before the game with Rostov, per Adam Marshall of the Manchester club's official website: "Rooney is injured. He had some kick in his knee area, so he can't even come out to the pitch. He stays inside the medical department."
United's problems up front are compounded by Zlatan Ibrahimovic's suspension for his clash with defender Tyrone Mings during the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth at Old Trafford last time out in the league.
Ibrahimovic isn't the only key United figure serving a suspension. Midfielder Ander Herrera will also miss out after being handed a red card during Monday's defeat at Chelsea, according to the FA's official website. Also in midfield, Paul Pogba injured himself in the match against Rostov and could miss Sunday's game.
One United player who avoided suspension is defender Marcos Rojo. The Argentinian was cleared after being accused of stamping on Chelsea's Eden Hazard during the cup clash at Stamford Bridge, per Jamie Jackson of the Guardian.
Both sides could struggle for goals in what's likely to be a tight affair. Each team has ample incentive to win, but a low-scoring draw seems a likely result between two squads blunted in attack.
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