Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov scored the only goal in Manchester United's hard-fought win over Middlesbrough on Monday to keep alive the Premier League champions' title defense. Berbatov volleyed home in the box on Michael Carrick's cross inthe 69th minute.

Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov (2nd L) shoots to score against Middlesbrough during their English Premier League soccer match in Manchester Dec. 29, 2008.

Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Park Ji-sung had all squandered chances before Berbatov's winning goal.

After the game, Manchester United remain seven points adrift of leader Liverpool, but with two games in hand.

"We are in a good position come the turn of the year," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "We have two games in hand, both at home, and it is going too be a great run in."

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate said he could draw a lot of positives from the performance despite losing.

【体坛英语资讯：Man. Utd edges Middlesbrough 1-0 to boost title defense】相关文章：

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Posh Spice tops Blackwell worst-dressed

★ 体坛英语资讯：Nadal eyes Australian Open despite Chennai thrashing

★ 体坛英语资讯：USA, France and Argentina cruise into Davis Cup last 8

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Charlotte Church names her baby girl

★ 体坛英语资讯：China surprises world in rowing

★ 体坛英语资讯：Tyson Gay: The fastest sprinter in Osaka

★ 体坛英语资讯：Switzerland beat Hungary 3-2 in World Cup qualifier

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Britney fans being urged to boycott her new album

★ 体坛英语资讯：Pierce: Go out and play basketball on street

★ 体坛英语资讯：Mourinho rules himself out of England job