Szilard Nemeth has been added to Boro’s injury list which already includes Gaizka Mandieta, Mark Viduka, George Boateng, Ugo Ehiogu, Chris Riggott and Malcom Christie.
Joseph Job picked up a groin injury at Norwich but should be OK to play, while Michael Reiziger will play again with a hairline fracture of the toe. The only good news is that Stuart Parnaby returns to the squad.
The bench will be packed with youngsters who could be given their chance at the Theatre of Dreams. Tony McMahon, James Morrison and Danny Graham have already experienced the thrill of playing at Old Trafford in front of a full house, earlier in the season. Matthew Bates and Andrew Taylor are also included in the squad.
Possible Boro line-up:
Schwarzer, Reiziger, Queudrue, Cooper, Southgate, Parlour, Doriva, Zenden, Downing, Job, Hasselbaink
United will be without Roy Keane who is suspended, while Alan Smith is struggling with an ankle injury. They are already without Darren Fletcher, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Kleberson. Tim Howard could be dropped after being made the scapegoat for the Carling Cup defeat against Chelsea.
Possible United line-up:
Howard, Silvestre, Neville, Ferdinand, Heinze, Scholes, Ronaldo, Fortune, Rooney, Giggs, Saha
If there is a need for a reply it will be played on Saturday 12th February at the Riverside with a 3pm kick-off. Similarly if Bolton draw at Oldham tomorrow that replay will also take place on Saturday 12th February.
So, if either Boro or Bolton draw, the Premiership game between Bolton and Boro scheduled for that day at the Reebok will be postponed.