Karanka out to give fans a night to remember

AFTER memorable Cup dates over the last 13 months at the Etihad Stadium and Anfield, Aitor Karanka is aiming to top the lot at Old Trafford this evening.
Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka (Picture: Steve Paston/PA Wire).Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka (Picture: Steve Paston/PA Wire).
Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka (Picture: Steve Paston/PA Wire).

Boro will be backed by around 10,000 fans, the biggest away following at United since Coventry City took 11,000 supporters for their 2-0 League Cup win in 2007.

Across town at the Etihad, 5,500 Boro fans saw their heroes dump Manchester City out of the FA Cup in a seismic fourth round shock in January, and in the autumn of last season, the Teessiders were edged out 14-13 following an incredible Capital One Cup penalty shoot-out at Liverpool.

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Boro also visited the Emirates Stadium last season, but were second-best to a dominant Arsenal in the Cup.

Head coach Karanka is loathe to make predictions tonight, with his sole hope being that his side provide another night to remember, win or lose.

Karanka said: “I said last season that this is the main thing, that the fans can remember these games as they deserve it.

“It was difficult for them to go to Cardiff last Tuesday so I’m really happy they can go to Old Trafford. I hope they can enjoy it like at Anfield and Manchester City.”

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Despite tonight’s hosts having negotiated an intense Manchester derby at the weekend, Karanka is expecting Red Devils counterpart Louis van Gaal to name a strong line-up.

He added: “I think he will play with his best team as when they played Ipswich in the previous round they played with their best, with (David) De Gea in goal.

“They are better than last season, I watched the game on Sunday in Old Trafford and it wasn’t an amazing performance but they have a lot of quality, players like (Wayne) Rooney, (Juan) Mata and (Anthony) Martial.

“Maybe they are not playing really well, but they have players with quality who can change the game in one second.”

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Albert Adomah and Adam Forshaw are set to miss out for Boro, but Stewart Downing should be fit.

Antonio Valencia is a doubt for the hosts.

Last six games: Manchester United WWLWDD; Middlesbrough WWLDLW.

Referee: L Mason (Lancashire).

Last time: Manchester United 1 Middlesbrough 0; December 28, 2008; Premier League.