McClaren backing Ince to be ready

Former United midfielder Ince trained yesterday for the first time this week since being laid low with the same bug which ruled Noel Whelan out of last Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Liverpool.

But Ince is desperate to face United and McClaren believes his captain's character and determination will ensure he appears at the Theatre of Dreams.

McClaren yesterday revealed: "Paul had been off all week, but he's trained this morning and we'll just have to see how he is. Noel Whelan has had a virus and I think he's passed it on to Paul.

"But, knowing Paul, he'll be playing on Saturday. We're going to give him every opportunity to get himself right. Noel has trained all week and he's fit now.''

McClaren is preparing for his first competitive return to Old Trafford as Boro boss since he quit as Sir Alex Ferguson's right-hand man last summer to become a first-time manager.

The England coach would love his side to slam the breaks on United's title drive and, at the same time, ease their fears of relegation.

But, whatever the outcome, he is convinced his old club are destined to hold off the challenge of Arsenal and Liverpool and lift an unprecedented fourth successive Premiership title.

"They are playing very well at the moment and I think the addition this season of Juan Sebastian Veron and Ruud van Nistelrooy has made a big difference,'' said McClaren.

"I know what they've got as a team. They're also in the home stretch and that counts for quite a lot when you come to this point in the season.

"It could go to the death - there are going to be a lot of twists and turns and it's all about who can hold their nerve.

"But I think they'll win their fourth title in a row.''

Boro could face a United side with a strike pairing of Dwight Yorke and Diego Forlan - two players McClaren tried and failed to lure to the Riverside.

With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having picked up an ankle injury in United's Champions' League romp against Boavista in Oporto this week, and van Nistelrooy carrying a groin strain, Uruguayan Forlan could line up alongside Yorke.

Forlan disappointed McClaren when he pulled out of a £7m-plus move from Argentinian giants Independiente at the last minute in favour of a switch to Old Trafford.

McClaren said: "I've spoken to Alex this week and he's very pleased with him.

"He's a threat as we thought because we tried to get him to come here. He's a very good player.''

Meanwhile, McClaren insisted suggestions that he is on the trail of United's South African winger Quinton Fortune are wide of the mark.

"He's a good lad, Quinton, but it's the first I've heard about it,'' said McClaren.

But McClaren could revive his £6m interest in Leicester midfielder Muzzy Izzet, who is resigned to leaving the Foxes now that their relegation from the Premiership is all but confirmed.

On-loan Benito Carbone wants Steve McClaren to make his move to Boro permanent.

The Italian forward, signed from Bradford on a deal that runs until the end of the season, insists that if he can't extend his stay with Boro he will quit the English game.

Carbone said: "At the moment, I just want to play the way I have in the last three or four games and enjoy myself.

"But I think we may talk about my future soon. I think if I am to stay in England, I want to end my career with Middlesbrough.

"That is definite, because if I don't sign for Middlesbrough I don't think I will stay in England.''

Boro have been allocated 29,500 tickets for their FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal or Newcastle at Old Trafford on Sunday, April 14.

Tickets go on sale to red book season ticket holders from 9.30am next Wednesday and white book season ticket holders a week on Sunday.

The deadline for season ticket holders is Tuesday, April 2. Ticket prices range from £15 to £45.

Boro midfielder Sean Kilgannon, 21, has joined Dunfermline on a free transfer after impressing during a loan spell

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