Things could not have started better for United when Kieran Richardson got the home side on the board in just the third minute, but Mark Viduka got Middlesbrough back level just before halftime, and United was fortunate to hold on for the draw.

The result gives United just a four-point advantage over Chelsea, who can trim that lead to one point with a win against Newcastle on Sunday. With away matches still to play against Everton, Manchester City and Chelsea, United may look back at this contest as the one that got away.

Paul Scholes' long clearance allowed Wayne Rooney to beat the offsides trap near midfield and run underneath the ball in the third minute. He gathered it in and maneuvered past keeper Mark Schwarzer, allowing Richardson to tap the ball into the empty net for an early 1-0 lead.

Instead of keeping control of the match and cruising to victory from there, United let off the gas pedal and allowed Middlesbrough to play them very evenly over the rest of the opening half. The visitor's efforts were rewarded just before halftime when Stewart Downing's curling cross from the left was met by Viduka's head inside the six-yard box, giving keeper Edwin Van der Sar no chance and bringing the teams level. United defender Rio Ferdinand was a step slow on the play, and he was seen holding his injured groin even before the goal was scored. Ferdinand did not appear in the second half and it is unlikely he will be available for United's Champions League clash with AC Milan on Tuesday.

Viduka nearly put Boro ahead after halftime when he shook free from Wes Brown inside the area but his shot from close range was turned away by a charging Van der Sar.

Rooney also had a chance to break the deadlock and he almost did inside of the game's final 15 minutes. The young Englishman sent a half-volley from inside the box just inches wide of the right post with the keeper at his mercy, and Michael Carrick also was unsuccessful with his effort.

The hosts were fortunate not to give away a penalty in stoppage time as John O'Shea brought down Middlesbrough's Dong Gook Lee inside his own area, but the foul went unpunished by the referee.

In other EPL action on Saturday, Arsenal was held to a 2-2 draw by Tottenham, allowing Liverpool to move four points clear of the Gunners in third place with a 2-0 win over Wigan behind two goals from Dirk Kuyt. Watford will be sent down next season after the Hornets played to a 1-1 draw with Manchester City, Reading scored three times in the final six minutes to beat Bolton 3-1, relegation-battling sides Sheffield United and Charlton split the points in 1-1 fashion as did Fulham and Blackburn while West Ham kept its hopes of avoiding relegation alive as they stunned Everton 1-0 on a goal from Bobby Zamora.

On Sunday, Chelsea faces a tough test with a trip to St James' Park to meet Newcastle, but the Blues know that they can cut their deficit to just one point with a win. Sunday's other contest features Portsmouth traveling to Aston Villa.