Butt returns for Middlesbrough clash

Alex Ferguson handed Nicky Butt only his second Premiership start since the beginning of November as Manchester United looked to close the gap on title rivals Arsenal to two points at the expense of Middlesbrough.

Butt turned down moves to Birmingham and Middlesbrough during the transfer window and received his reward this evening as skipper Roy Keane stood down in readiness for the weekend’s eagerly-awaited FA Cup tie against Manchester City.

Brazilian World Cup winner Kleberson replaced Darren Fletcher while Quinton Fortune took over from Gary Neville, a move that saw John O’Shea switch full-back berths from left to right.

In his programme notes, Ferguson vowed not to let “off-field nonsense” affect his management of Manchester United.

Reports have surfaced that Ferguson met with influential shareholder Dermot Desmond yesterday in a bid to end the impasse surrounding his legal battle with John Magnier over the record-breaking stallion Rock of Gibraltar.

However, he insisted the problems will not deflect him from his aim of landing a ninth Premiership title in May and thanked the United fans for their continued backing.

“After all the off-field nonsense that seems to be coming my way at the moment, the response of the fans has been fantastic,” said the Scot.

“It has emphasised for me that Manchester United are a great club and I would like to assure all the supporters that I am determined nothing will interfere with my focus on my work as manager of Manchester United.”

Middlesbrough made two changes from the side defeated by Blackburn at the Riverside on Saturday as Joseph-Desire Job and Stewart Downing replaced Massimo Maccarone and Stuart Parnaby.