Manchester United vs Middlesbrough: Don't expect an easy game for the Red Devils

Manchester United and Middlesbrough will meet at Old Trafford in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The clubs' last meeting at the Theatre of Dreams produced a sensational result.

In the previous round of the FA Cup, Manchester United's opponents were Aston Villa. The Mancunians opened the game with a quick goal from Fred McTominay. After that, Manchester United was primarily defensive and passive in the attack. Ralf Rangnick's side held a minimal advantage over their opponents. As for their performance in the EFL, the Red Devils went into the break after beating West Ham United at home (1:0). In the last weekend of the EFL, the team broke into the top-four.

In the third round of the FA Cup, Middlesbrough traveled to Mansfield. Chris Wilder's side started the game strongly and by the 14th minute were already two goals ahead. The players of the modest English club did not let up and created a lot of problems for the favorites in the closing stages. Mansfield managed to draw the score in the final period, but in the fifth minute remaining after the interval, Middlesbrough scored an own goal (3:2). As for Boro's Championship performances, Wilder's side was successful at home against Coventry (1:0) before the break. Middlesbrough is currently seventh in the table.

After the draw, Manchester United were widely regarded as the favourite. We would not consider Middlesbrough the clear underdog: look at their progress under Wilder. While the Boro were at the bottom of the Championship table for much of the previous campaign, this season, the team is one of the real contenders for the play-offs and a possible return to the EFL. In addition, the Middlesbrough players have been in terrific form in their last ten games, scoring eight victories.

Manchester United are far from perfect, and that goes for almost every area of play, with the only exception being David De Gea. The Spaniard is frankly the club's best player this season, and if the best becomes the goalkeeper, that means the team has plenty of problems. We will note that Rangnick is likely to give Henderson a chance. It will be challenging for Manchester United to face a motivated, tough team from the Championships, so that we would consider a handicap (+1.5) for the visitors here. And in the end, don't forget that Middlesbrough left Old Trafford as winners in the last cup game.

• Handicap 2 (+1.5) for 1.79
• Both Teams To Score + Total Over 2.5 for 2.62
• Individual Total 2 Over 0.5 for 1.81