Aitor Karanka to draw on Mourinho memories when Middlesborough take on Manchester United

Aitor Karnka will take his Middlesbrough side to Old Trafford full of confidence

AITOR KARANKA has never lost at Old Trafford - and the Middlesbrough manager hopes to maintain his 100% winning record tonight.

 

The Spaniard was a defender in 2000 when Real Madrid ended United's grip on the Champions League with a 3-2 away win in Manchester.

And three-and-a-half-years ago, as Jose Mourinho's No2 at Madrid, the Spaniard was victorious in Sir Alex Ferguson's final European match.

Karanka recalled: "As a player, it was amazing. United were the favourites because they had won the Champions League the previous season.

 

Karanka is unbeaten at Old Trafford, both as a player and a coach

"We drew 0-0 in the Bernabeu and everyone expected they could beat us easily at Old Trafford but we were winning 3-0 after 52 minutes.

"As an assistant with Jose, it was different. We had drawn 1-1 at home and weren't playing well but they had a man sent off and in that moment, Jose changed things bringing on Luca Modric and we won the game.

"So I have good memories of Old Trafford and let's hope it continues though now it is a little bit different as we are Middlesbrough, not Real Madrid."

 

Memphis Depay is set for a recall with Louis Van Gaal admitting some of his senior United stars are entering the "red zone" and require a rest with a number of high-profile matches forthcoming.

"I have a lot of players in the red zone because we have had lot of matches and we have a lot of matches to play," said Van Gaal. "I have to see if I can use them or not. We need all the days to recover at this moment."