ONE win in the last eleven and only one goal in five doesn't add up to the greatest statistic to take to Old Trafford - but that's Boro's task this weekend as they face Manchester United.

On Boro's side is the fact that they were the last Premiership team to beat them. And the scorer of the third goal in the 3-2 win in December 1998, Brian Deane, remembers the day well.

"It is one of my best memories at the club. We were two up at half time and then I managed to beat Peter Schmeichel for the third," he said. "The electronic scoreboard read United 0 Boro 3 - and even though they fought back, not too many teams have had that type of load over United on their own patch."

Deane believes spirit is the key. He said: "We need to go to Old Trafford and fight for every ball. I have been part of sides that have defeated them and on each occasion it was all about not letting United settle.

"I thought on Saturday against Arsenal we were unlucky. The togetherness we showed at the Riverside needs to be repeated and then we will be okay."

Robbie Mustoe, who has a chance of being fit for the game, said: "It will be touch and go, but I've been working hard at my fitness and I am not too far away."

He was also impressed by the Arsenal game.

"We may have lost but I was sat in the crowd, and the noise they made was unbelievable," he said.

"Tomorrow will be tough, taking on the league leaders on their patch, but we will go with a positive approach - and a good result would really set us up for two massive home games with Leicester and Bradford."