VIDEO: POGATEZ TERRIBLE TACKLE ON POSSEBON. L'INFORTUNIO DI POSSEBON

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A sumptuous Ryan Giggs goal ensured progress for Manchester United last night but it was the loss of promising midfielder Rodrigo Possebon with a suspected broken leg that will occupy Sir Alex Ferguson's thoughts today.

Giggs chipped Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Jones with 11 minutes left after a mistake by Chris Riggott for the winning goal after Adam Johnson had cancelled out a first-half header by Cristiano Ronaldo.

But it was the loss of Brazilian Possebon that dominated the evening, the talented playmaker victim of a horrible lunge from Middlesbrough captain Emmanuel Pogatetz.

Referee Andre Marriner wasted no time in sending off Pogatetz but Possebon soon followed on a stretcher and the initial diagnosis was not good.

Nani scored a third for United five minutes into the nine added for the injury. Starting his first game of the season, Ronaldo was in coltish mood as - along with Giggs, Nani and Possebon - he ran Middlesbrough ragged in an opening half that saw him give his team the lead with a 25th-minute header.

But, just as Sir Alex Ferguson's team seemed set to waltz through, Middlesbrough equalised 11 minutes into the second half.

United - and Nani in particular - must have spurned five or six clear chances before substitute Johnson volleyed Boro level.

Given ankle surgery in the summer and the emotional inconvenience of an aborted attempt to leave United for Real Madrid, it is asking an enormous amount for Ronaldo to be the player he was during United's double season.

United manager Ferguson began the evening with a message for his protege. Writing in his programme notes, Ferguson used the example of perhaps United's most controversial ever character to tell Ronaldo he had been right to stay at the club.

The United manager said: 'When I went to see him I pointed out how much better it would be to leave like Eric Cantona, with the fans loving and appreciating him.

'The crowd still chant Cantona's name and I told Cristiano "leave a hero like Eric" - and, one day, he will… but not yet, of course!'

Whether Cantona had much time for the League Cup, in its various guises, is debatable.

Nevertheless, Ronaldo appeared to enjoy himself last night and United were not short of penetrating runners, with Giggs and Nani also involved, as they attempted to improve a record of just one win in the competition in two seasons since beating Wigan in the Final in 2006.

Middlesbrough fielded a strong team in the competition that brought the only trophy in their history in 2004, but United dominated the first half.

United's attacking players all looked lively and Nani had twice gone close - once from distance and once from close range - when Ronaldo scored his first goal of the season.

His aerial prowess was as impressive as anything he produced last season, and it was a nod of his head that brought his goal.

The simplicity of the goal would not have pleased visiting manager Gareth Southgate. Neither of Middlesbrough's central defenders, David Wheater and Pogatetz, could prevent Ronaldo from rising to head home Giggs' corner.

Within five minutes, Middlesbrough went frighteningly close to conceding another. Anderson crossed low from the left towards the arriving Ronaldo and, when he missed the ball, Welbeck emerged to hit it against the far post.

Anderson did well to return the ball with venom towards goal and, this time, Middlesbrough defender Andrew Taylor hacked it clear.

Middlesbrough rallied in the latter stages of the half, and one dashing Stewart Downing run was ended by an Anderson foul when danger beckoned, then Didier Digard miscued horribly when presented with a chance 16 yards out.

Ronaldo was denied a picture book second as a Da Silva back heel allowed him to shoot low, but Brad Jones saved with his legs.

United spurned two good chances early in the second half before Middlesbrough hit back out of the blue. Nemanja Vidic headed a 56thminute clearance to the edge of the box, and substitute Adam Johnson volleyed home with his right instep.

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-4-2): Amos; R Da Silva, Brown, Vidic, O'Shea; Ronaldo (Tevez 61), Anderson, Possebon (Gibson 72), Nani; Giggs (Manucho 84), Welbeck.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-5-1): Jones; Hoyte, Pogatetz, Wheater, Taylor; Aliadiere, Digard (Riggott 72), Shawky (Johnson 46), O'Neil, Downing; Alves (Emnes 85). Booked: Shawky. Sent off: Pogatetz.

Possebon's Injury against Middlesboro
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