SIR ALEX FERGUSON has demanded a title-race favour from Steve McClaren to make up for the devastating blow Middlesbrough dealt to Manchester United's ambitions last season.

Boro's 1-0 triumph at Old Trafford just over a year ago cost United pole position in the Premiership and ultimately the crown to double-winning Arsenal.

And at the Riverside this afternoon, Boro can again have a major say in the destiny of the title when the Gunners arrive on a mission to regain top spot from resurgent United following their titanic 2-2 draw at Highbury on Wednesday.

Boro manager McClaren, Ferguson's former right-hand man, is under pressure from his mentor to mete out a damaging defeat to Arsene Wenger's side.

McClaren sees the scenario as testament to ninth-placed Boro's emergence as a force to be feared in the top flight.

He said: "Last year we beat Manchester United at Old Trafford, which affected the championship, and they lost 3-1 here this season. That was their last League defeat.

"We dented their challenge then and if we beat Arsenal, that would dent them, too.

"It's great that we've made so much progress that we can have a say in the title race, compete against these teams, and know we can beat them.

"The pressure is on Arsenal and they have to win this match. It's a tremendous opportunity for us and there's no reason why we can't beat them.

"We've done well against the top teams this season. We've already beaten Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle here. We also drew here with Chelsea and Everton.''

McClaren was given a salutary lesson by Arsenal in his first game in management when the Gunners won 4-0 at the Riverside on the opening day of last season.

But he added: "This time they know they're in for a hard game.''

Leaders United, who host Blackburn Rovers today, are three points clear of Arsenal, but Wenger's men have a game in hand.

The emotions of bitter rivals Ferguson and Wenger were laid bare at Highbury this week when the jubilant United boss raced on to the pitch to celebrate a point while his usually inscrutable counterpart visibly cursed the controversial sending-off of Sol Campbell.

"Alex relished the atmosphere the other night - the bigger the game, the more he relishes it,'' said McClaren.

"That's what is truly great about the man. Some might fear games like that, but not him.

"You could see at the end with his joy that he knew how important it was to get that point.

"This is the time Sir Alex loved when I was at Manchester United; the last four or five games when you're in with a shout.

"He always believed that, because his players had been there before and had the character, resilience and nerve, they would come through it.

"He knows he has those things - he knows he can handle the pressure.'' But McClaren believes the title race is still too close to call. "It's hard to say who will win it,'' he said.

"I think it will go down to the wire. Wednesday's game was an enthralling encounter, but nothing was resolved.

"It's all about who holds their nerve, the players and the managers, and gets the breaks. There will be many twists and turns, whatever happens in our game with Arsenal.''

McClaren played down talk of a Ferguson-Wenger feud, insisting: "I don't think it's personal; it's just a sheer will to win.

"That's the common denominator. It's that kind of rivalry. I only know Sir Alex, I don't think anyone knows Arsene really.

"We can all be calm and composed, but everybody loses it as we saw the other night.

"Underneath it all, they are two emotional managers who care very much about winning.''

McClaren is refusing to rule out midfielder Geremi, who picked up an ankle injury in the 0-0 draw at Manchester City week ago.

"After the game, he looked very doubtful but he's had a week's treatment and we'll give him every chance to get fit,'' said McClaren, who has George Boateng, Michael Ricketts and Stuart Parnaby all back in training.