Anthony Martial shows fleet-footedness to come inside from the left, but is brought down 30 yards out by Marten de Roon.

Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are standing over it...

Image source, .

Middlesbrough had a couple of chances early on, but it's all Manchester United now. The hosts have all but two of their outfield players in the opposition half, compared to just one for Middlesbrough.

Manchester United have had 70% of the possession, can the visitors keep them at bay?

At the other end, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba combine for the Swede to strike wide of goal.

A very watchable contest this at Old Trafford.

Having been on the back foot, Boro almost take the lead.

Brilliant wing play from Adama Traore sees him speed past Daley Blind, who looked like he was running in treacle.

Traore then has the intelligence to cut the ball back to George Friend, who sets himself and lets fly with a left-footed shot which is deflected away from danger.

Heart in mouth moment for the hosts.

What you don't need when playing at Old Trafford is to give a goal away.

Ben Gibson almost does as he passes the ball straight to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who finds Paul Pogba, but the Frenchman cannot thread it through to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Ooh, almost brilliant from Paul Pogba.

The world's most expensive player strikes the post with an overheard kick from Henrikh Mkhitaryan's header back.

The Armenian showed excellent awareness from Anthony Martial's ball into the box.

United edging closer and closer to the opener.

Image source, Reuters

Nice from Marten de Roon, as the Middlesbrough man plays a long, crossfield ball to Calum Chambers.

A flashback to Paul Scholes there, for the watching home fans.

Chambers cannot match the brilliant pass, as his cross goes straight into the hands of David de Gea.

Daley Blind delivers the free-kick but Boro are able to scramble the ball clear.

In the next attack, Anthony Martial then skins Calum Chambers, but cannot find Zlatan Ibrahimovic with his cutback.

All United and it seems like Boro are holding on.

Image source, PA

Ander Herrera is dictating the play for Manchester United and has completed all of his 13 passes so far.

Meanwhile, Anthony Martial, who needs a good game today, earns a free-kick on the left after being tripped by Calum Chambers.

Alex Bruce
Hull City defender on Final Score

Image source, Reuters

Michael Carrick unlocks defences with his range of passes, so he will be a big miss for Manchester United today. It will be fascinating to see how they get on without him. 

I think United will finish in the top four - they are on a roll and increasingly difficult to beat.

After that flurry of activity, Manchester United are knocking the ball around.

The increasingly impressive Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the thick of the action, as his cross finds the head of Marouane Fellaini who heads straight at Victor Valdes.

A nice easy one for the Spanish goalkeeper on his return to his former club.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

Former Manchester United defender Rafael da Silva is a popular figure in the Old Trafford directors' box this afternoon.

The Brazilian is here to see his twin brother Fabio, who is on the Middlesbrough bench.

He made 169 United appearances before being sold by Louis van Gaal in 2015 which former members of United's backroom team thought was a mistake.

Image source, Getty Images

Lost his head.

Ander Herrera gives the ball away in the middle of the park, allowing Adama Traore to break clear.

The Boro man makes his way to the edge of the box and gets confused with two team-mates in support and screws an ugly shot wide of goal.

Should have done better from that position.

Seconds later, George Friend blazes a shot over the bar from outside the area.

A bright start to this game.

Image source, Reuters

It is a poor delivery from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who fails to clear the first man.

Manchester United recycle the ball and get another corner...

...but another scuffed cross, this time from Daley Blind.

A quick start from Manchester United, who earn a corner within the first couple of minutes as Antonio Valencia's cross from the right comes off George Friend

Image source, Reuters

Zlatan Ibrahimovic get us under way at Old Trafford.

Steve Bower
Match of the Day commentator

"The calendar year has certainly had its highs and lows for Manchester United, but 2016 is drawing to a close with real momentum.

"Jose Mourinho's side look to be in the groove as they aim for their fifth league win in a row. If they can maintain their recent consistency and performance levels into 2017 then a Champions League charge could be within reach.

"Plotting to upset the odds is Mourinho's former assistant Aitor Karanka, who meets his mentor as a manager for the first time.

"He can be satisfied with Middlesbrough's season so far and will see any kind of result at Old Trafford as a welcome new year bonus."

The two bosses Jose Mourinho and Aitor Karanka share a word as they follow the two sets of players out onto the pitch for the last time this year.

Will it be a happy end to 2016 for Manchester United or Middlesbrough?

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

I just spotted Sir Alex Ferguson eating his lunch in the area used by the directors and their guests at Old Trafford.

It's his 75th birthday today - and if Manchester United don't lose, they will be 12 unbeaten, which would equal their longest streak without a loss since he retired in 2013.

Image source, Rex Features

The man whose footsteps Jose Mourinho is following in - Sir Alex Ferguson - celebrates his birthday today.

The Manchester United legend turns 75 so as a little treat, take a look at the highs and lows of the Scot's 26 year career at Old Trafford.

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