Fergie adopts a siege mentality

The withdrawal of David Beckham from England's squad simply added to his dismay.

Eriksson, FA officials had earlier suggested, received a telephone call from Ferguson prior to Monday's squad announcement confirming that Scholes would not be available for England's friendly. That, in turn, begged the obvious question.

Whatever the truth, this is proving as difficult a period for United as it is fast becoming for Eriksson. In attempting to escape the clutches of one controversy by omitting Roy Keane from this Premiership encounter, and instead sending him for that much-needed hip operation, they stumbled head first into another by choosing Scholes as his replacement.

Not that it seemed to trouble Ferguson. He had three more Premiership points, courtesy of a firsthalf penalty from Van Nistelrooy.

Even so, at a time when United were thought to be seeking a period of relative calm, the 60-year-old Scot has succeeded only in inviting yet more trouble. It is anticipated that Keane will receive an FA disrepute charge today, after which chief executive Adam Crozier is bound to seek some clarification from Ferguson.

What should concern Ferguson is how United coped in the absence of Keane. This may have been a valuable victory, but it was not one that was comfortably achieved without their Irish captain's drive from midfield.

This was a poor spectacle, a match that was settled in what was the first attack of any note.

Ryan Giggs provided the spark, his 28th-minute chip dropping perfectly for Van Nistelrooy when Ugo Ehiogu tugged at the striker's arm and dragged him to the ground. Referee Mike Riley pointed to the penalty spot, the only surprise being that he showed Ehiogu a yellow card and not red. Van Nistelrooy added to the two goals he scored in the Champions League last week by crashing this opportunity into the roof of Mark Schwarzer's net.

Middlesbrough endeavoured to respond, a fine cross from Robbie Stockdale causing some anxiety until the outstanding Rio Ferdinand cleared the danger with an extraordinary back-heel.

By then, however, United were growing in confidence, a wonderful exchange of passes between Van Nistelrooy and Scholes, who lasted for 79 minutes before making what Ferguson described as a 'painful' exit, almost resulting in a second goal for the Dutchman moments before the interval. Van Nistelrooy unleashed a terrific shot but directed it just wide.

After the break Boro continued in their determined pursuit of an equaliser. Massimo Maccarone went near and a George Boateng strike forced an excellent save from Fabien Barthez.

Their efforts were to no avail, however, leaving United triumphant and Eriksson searching for yet more answers.