Boro stun United

Ince's international career looks to be at an end as the England boss opts for youth ahead of experience - seen across the country as the best way forward.

But few will argue about the Boro middle-man's contribution at the Riverside club this season and had Eriksson been at Old Trafford on Saturday the Swede would only have been impressed.

Beyond Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, there is a dearth of combative midfielders in this country.

Against Manchester United on Saturday Ince came up against the man currently playing second fiddle to Gerrard in the England squad - Nicky Butt.

Butt, playing alongside Juan Sebastian Veron in the middle for United, may be seven years younger than Ince but the Boro skipper won this particular battle.

The 34-year-old has been outstanding for Steve McClaren and at Old Trafford he was again superb in helping to ensure Boro claimed their second scalp over United in nearly two months - and their second victory over the champions at the Theatre of Dreams since 1998.

Ince, with 53 caps, always said he would have loved to have had just one more World Cup but he knows that a trip to South Korea and Japan is highly unlikely - unless he goes as a television pundit.

Eriksson, who has McClaren on his coaching staff, has seen Boro on many occasions during the current campaign - the inclusion of defenders Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu is testament to that.

But it is clear that Ince has never been in Eriksson's thoughts but McClaren has been delighted with his captain's infallible displays at club level.

"I'm sure the scouts are sent to watch and I'm sure Sven has watched," said McClaren. "If Paul was in the plans he would be picked.

"All we are concentrated on is the way he is going about playing for Middlesbrough.

"He was tremendous here, but I thought there were so many brilliant performances throughout our team."

Ince's performance on his old ground epitomised the hard-working and committed Boro approach and they deservedly boosted their hopes of Premiership survival by taking all the points.

McClaren spent three years working as Sir Alex Ferguson's right-hand man and he stated before the clash that if Boro won he would be as popular in Manchester as former United star Ince.

The vital victory for the Teessiders has seen them climb six points above a relegation place; and it has meant United now have to hope for slip-ups by both Arsenal and Liverpool if they are to claim a fourth successive Premiership crown.

McClaren believes the Red Devils can still bounce back and he does not feel they can be written off just yet.

"It's a blow for them, obviously," said McClaren, who returned to take on his master for the first time. "When you're in the run-in you can't afford slip ups but I'm sure Arsenal and Liverpool have got difficult games and I think it's still wide open. I would still not back against them."

But McClaren insists he would have felt exactly the same had it been at any other top ground.

"It feels more satisfying that we have won on a great stage but no different as if we had won at Highbury, Anfield or Elland Road," said McClaren. "It's three points and it's massive for us.

"To come here you need a team which is committed, shows character and is mentally tough and we did all of that."

The only goal of the match came after nine minutes when Veron was robbed of possession by impressive Benito Carbone.

The diminutive Italian, on loan at Boro from Bradford until the end of the season, quickly crossed to the unmarked Alen Boksic, who calmly side-footed past Fabien Barthez.

The positive start made by the visitors could have suffered when former Man United midfielder Jonathan Greening had to limp off with a groin injury after 21 minutes.

But, instead, 20-year-old Luke Wilkshire came in and filled the breach with the calm and confidence he has shown in his two other top-flight appearances prior to Saturday.

United were poor in the first half and they were having a rare off day in front of goal.

First Ruud van Nistelrooy shot just wide before an unmarked Ryan Giggs dragged his shot wide after some good work from David Beckham.

But before the break Boro could have extended the lead when Carbone, who provided an outlet for the full 90 minutes, crossed to Boksic who somehow failed to find the target from six yards.

After the interval the hosts pushed hard to find the equaliser. But Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer was only forced into a couple of quality saves from van Nistelrooy efforts.

Otherwise it was business as usual at the back for Boro. Centre-backs Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu coped with most things in the air.

But it was Carbone who was proving that McClaren should act in the summer to try to bring the striker in permanently.

Former Boro target Diego Forlan, who turned down a £6.9m move to Teesside in favour of joining the ranks at United, was making his first Premiership start.

But after this display McClaren will be relieved at missing out on the Uruguayan, for it led to the Boro boss moving for Carbone.

The 30-year-old held up the ball and linked midfield with attack all afternoon.

McClaren thought Carbone was fantastic but is now focusing on carrying the form through to the final seven League games.

"I thought he was unbelievable," said McClaren, who admitted that Carbone would not have been on Teesside had Forlan agreed to join. "His linking up with Boksic meant we were always thinking we had a chance. He was a constant threat.

"He has been tremendous for us. We are very pleased with Beni and he is always a player I've admired. He has been brilliant for us."

But he added: "I thought all 11 were fantastic. We have now got three League games before the FA Cup semi-final with Arsenal and there's no focus on that at all.

"I don't feel any relief until we are mathematically safe and we know there's no relaxing."

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