But he will not be impressed by the report he is sure to receive from his acting number two Jim Ryan, who was in charge for the day. United were finally made to pay for their recent run of lacklustre performances by a Middlesbrough side who proved their lofty league position is fully deserved.

Boro stunned United when they raced into a three-goal lead after 59 minutes and although the home side mounted a fightback, the Teessiders held on to record their first victory at Old Trafford since January 1930. Remarkably it was only their fifth League win over the Reds since Second World War.

It might all have been so different if Andy Cole had not fluffed a glorious chance to level the match in the final minutes when he had only Boro goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to beat, but that would have been harsh on former United great Robson and his Boro players. United's defence had another game to forget and this time Jaap Stam could not be blamed because he had been rested.

Teddy Sheringham was handed only his second League start of the campaign alongside Cole after Dwight Yorke was sidelined with a groin injury. Gianluca Festa was back from injury for Middlesbrough, but all eyes were on former United hero Gary Pallister on his return to Old Trafford and he was given a rousing reception from the home fans.

Ferguson had described Pallister as "one of the best investments the club ever made" in his programme notes and the 33-year-old lived up to his billing. Pallister was outstanding at the heart of Boro's three-man defence. Boro were even more impressive up front and Peter Schmeichel tipped over a terrific 30-yard shot from Hamilton Ricard, which proved to be a sign of things to come.

United's defence has not kept a clean sheet in 10 game and in the 23rd minute they extended that run to 11. United's backline failed to react to Dean Gordon's angled drive across the area to the back post, but Brian Deane did and he turned it back for Ricard to knock home his 13th goal of the season.

Things went from bad to worse for United on 31 minutes when Gordon cracked home a spectacular second. United could only head clear Andy Townsend's free-kick from the right touchline to the Boro wing-back, who volleyed home his second strike of the campaign.

United tried to respond and Sheringham saw a drive deflected for a corner, while Ryan Giggs and David Beckham went close before the interval. Ricard and Deane combined well again to go close to a third goal for the Teessiders only this time Schmeichel saved Deane's header from Ricard's cross. But there was no denying the double act in the 59th minute when they created and scored Boro's third.

Ricard intercepted Ronny Johnsen's square ball to Gary Neville and fed Deane who scored from just outside the area. Beckham's frustration was mounting by the minute and it came as little surprise when he was booked for leaving his foot in on Ricard.

The United midfielder, though, who had been having a nightmare game, pulled himself together to spark United's comeback. He provided the cross for Nicky Butt to head United back into the game in the 61st minute and Giggs headed wide from another Beckham delivery. But then just as Beckham was getting into the game he was replaced by Paul Scholes.

Spurred on by Butt's goal United pressed for a second and it came in the 69th minute through Scholes. Cole was blocked as he tried to turn and shoot in the box and the ball fell to Scholes who rammed home his eighth goal of the season.

United piled forward as the clock ticked towards full time and Schwarzer held a Giggs' piledriver at the second attempt. Then came Cole's gaffe with just three minutes remaining. He intercepted Schwarzer's pass intended for Pallister to leave with only Schwarzer to beat, but his shot was half-stopped by the Boro goalkeeper before Steve Vickers completed the clearance.

The Boro players greeted the final whistle with jubilation and how they deserved their moment of glory.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Vickers, Pallister, Festa, Mustoe, Maddison, Townsend, Cooper, Gordon, Deane, Ricard. Subs: Moore for Mustoe, Beck for Maddison. Scorers: Ricard (23), Gordon (31), Deane (59)

Referee: G Willard

Attendance: 55,152