Boro chief dismisses legal threat reports

Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb has dismissed claims the club could sue Manchester United if they field a weakened team at Hull on Sunday.

A report today suggested the Teessiders had held talks with derby rivals Newcastle and Sunderland ahead of the final round of Barclays Premier League fixtures, which could see two of them relegated.

United boss Alex Ferguson has indicated he will rest his key players at the KC Stadium ahead of next Wednesday's Champions League final clash with Barcelona.

Victory for the Tigers would send Boro down whatever they do at West Ham, and either Newcastle or Sunderland could join them if they lose to Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively.

However, Lamb told the club's official website, www.mfc.co.uk: ``Manchester United will pick their team, no one else.

``There have been no talks between Middlesbrough and any other club about what side Manchester United may field on Sunday.''

Sunderland and Newcastle have also insisted there is no truth in the claims, with Black Cats boss Ricky Sbragia confident that whatever side Ferguson selects, United will set out to win the game.