It’s the last game that we fans will see before 2004,
The stadium is totally full and conditions are just right,
As we face Manchester United in their strip of black and white.

The opening minutes of the game are really rather poor,
But things will get much better, of that I feel quite sure,
Both sides are somewhat cagey with so much being at stake,
And neither ‘keeper, so far, has had a save to make.

Scholes is once more on attack way on the right-hand side,
But he’s confronted by French Franck who, again, displays such pride,
Juninho and Mendieta show some terrific interchange,
But Mendieta’s then brought down when he is just in range.

Boro were totally outraged and for a foul they cried,
But referee Messias waved all appeals aside,
Some players have not got going yet and play is rather scrappy,
Though one gets that funny feeling that the bench is fairly happy.

Giggs danced past Mendieta then nutmegged Mills for real good measure,
The two of them then tangled and Giggs showed immediate displeasure,
Although there did appear a trip the ref. just waved play on,
Good fortune for the Boro, for a real good chance had gone.

Queudrue now appears injured and he really seems to struggle,
He’s started off so very well but now we’ll need to juggle,
With Parnaby awaited, Quinton Fortune’s suddenly freed,
And the sub can only stand and look as United take the lead.

Captain Keane’s involved at first and then he brings in Scholes,
Now he’s a man who’s master of the art of scoring goals,
Fortune shoots then Danny Mills’ deflection’s just enough,
It nestles deep inside the net and for Boro that’s really tough.

Fortune is his name and somewhat fortunate was his kick,
Which bounced off the hip of Danny Mills, who must be feeling sick,
And with the paucity of Boro goals in this current long campaign,
It immediately begs the question, “Can we now come back again?”

Though the goal is disappointing, please let me not delude,
One could clearly see it coming as United’s in the mood,
The task now facing Boro doesn’t make such very good news,
For when United go a goal in front they very seldom lose.

Danny Mills was fortunate when shown ‘only’ a yellow,
For flinging out an arm at Giggs: a very lucky fellow!
Our man had had his shirt pulled when in a promising situation,
Intent was clear and he was booked for daft retaliation.

Frustration shows in Boateng’s face as play he tries to switch,
And he takes it out on Ryan Giggs in a nasty-looking sandwich,
Combining with big ‘Ugo,’ Giggs is given quite a clout,
To earn a free kick central and only twenty-eight yards out.

Boro’s wall’s being lined up and I then see Schwarzer check ‘em,
‘Giggsy’ sends it high and wide: who shouted, “Bring back Beckham?”
Danny then flies forward as he tries to make amends,
Sadly his final ball is wayward and so the movement ends.

Boro now are seeking to claw their way back in this game,
And up steps Bolo Zenden to seek a little bit of fame,
With a free kick just outside the box; the best we’ve so far seen,
After Gaizka Mendieta was pulled to ground by Keane.

Zenden makes his move, so will the Boro fans be lifted?
‘No,’ was the instant answer as the ball just rose and drifted,
He hit it well and beat the wall to see it clear the bar,
To land on the top netting for the best attempt so far.

Boro’s boss is signalling to his lads, “Don’t drop too deep;
Apply a bit more pressure and seek the ball to keep,
Let United know that for to win they’ll need to battle,
So get stuck in and give their men the odd, legitimate rattle.”

Fletcher’s shown a yellow card and one has some strong suspicions,
That he had taken up wrestling for a fall or two submissions,
Parnaby was his victim as goalwards he sought to drive,
But the move collapsed and Boro were so lucky to survive.

Giggs once more left men for dead as in and out he swerves,
Gets inside the home side’s box to unsettle Boro’s nerves,
Despite Zenden’s timely intervention, the pressure remains supreme,
It should by now have been two-nil, thus shattering every dream.

Because goals at home for Boro are a commodity so rare,
Not even the most steadfast fan would expect us to score a pair,
The session ends in uproar, of which some players won’t be boasting,
And the referee goes off the field to one mighty Boro roasting.

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Boro are back in the game and there’s just the slightest glimmer,
And the clash ‘tween Giggs and Danny Mills is starting now to simmer,
The former’s push on our man, has raised a few more hackles,
For sure in the coming minutes we’ll see some interesting tackles.

Loud applause rings round the ground and for one outstanding reason,
As Schwarzer in the Boro goal brings off ‘Save of the Season,’
From Paul Scholes, standing just inside the Boro’s penalty spot,
He miraculously manages to deflect his most ferocious shot.

Van N. provides the ammo for his partner Scholes to fire,
It’s homing in on Boro’s goal as if directed on a wire,
Moments later sees United’s man astonished; heart now breaking,
From Schwarzer’s truly wondrous save: the bar must still be shaking!

Could this now be the turning point? Some Boro play’s quite slick,
But United when they’re on the break are frighteningly quick,
A Ricketts’ ball across the goal sought to draw the Boro level,
Then Greening was denied a chance when held by Gary Neville.

A mighty kick from Howard beat the entire Boro defence,
To leave McClaren and his team looking on in sheer suspense,
As Giggs bore down upon our goal, so keen to make the kill,
Big ‘Ugo’ to the rescue, with the ultimate in skill.

Juninho’s on a run on goal and dangerous he looked,
He was hauled to ground by Neville P., who instantly was booked,
Then Fletcher is in trouble, perhaps unfortunately: must be said,
But he was made to leave the field: two yellows equals red.

Both of these indiscretions were right before the referee’s eyes,
So, with Man. U. down to ten men, can we now capitalise?
The free kick’s left to ‘Mendi’ but still there’s nowt to show for it,
Against ten men, still lots of time, come on then, lads; let’s go for it!

Scholes showed some tremendous skill, attacking on the right,
It looked all over a second goal and then, of course, goodnight,
He left three men floundering in his wake, the goal now looked so wide,
Until ‘Mendi’ skilfully challenged him, to once more save his side.

Boro make two changes to some disbelieving cries,
With Greening off plus Parnaby, much to everyone’s surprise,
They haven’t got a lot of time: about a quarter-of-an-hour,
To try and find that missing punch and provide the firepower.

Sadly, it was not to be and we never came anywhere near,
Despite the fact United never got out of second gear,
Howard could have stayed at home; he might as well have rested,
For not once throughout the entire game was he genuinely tested.

So, Boro’s long run without defeat, which lasted quite a while,
Was abruptly terminated with little craft and lacking guile,
The massive gulf between the teams when playing against the wealthy,
Was clear to see for all today and the position’s far from healthy.