Manchester United vs Middlesbrough live: What time does it start, what TV channel is it on and where can I watch it?

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at Old Trafford

Manchester United welcome Boro to Old Trafford (Getty)

The master meets the apprentice at Old Trafford as Aitor Karanka and his Middlesbrough team travel to face Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.

Karanka worked under Mourinho during his ill-fated three-year spell at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013 and still considers the Portuguese to be “a real friend”.

Both men, however, will be hoping for three points, with the hosts looking to extend their Premier League winning streak to five games after Monday’s victory over Sunderland.

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It’s a big game for…

Victor Valdes: The Middlesbrough goalkeeper is going back to Old Trafford where he failed to get much game time under Louis Van Gaal. The Spaniard will be looking to prove to his former employers that he can still do a job between the sticks.

Best stat…

100: This will be the hundredth meeting between Manchester United and Middlesbrough with the former taking 50 wins, Middlesbrough 22 and the 27 other fixtures ending in draws.

Remember when...

Gaizka Mendieta scored the fourth goal in a remarkable 4-1 drubbing of United back in 2005, co-incidentally the last time Boro have triumphed over the Manchester club.

Player to watch…

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: The fan favourite has really impressed since being given more game time by Jose Mourinho. In his first game back from injury on Boxing Day he netted that ingenious scorpion kick in the closing moments. Boro will need to keep the Armenian playmaker quiet to quell any attacks from the hosts.

Past three meetings…

Manchester United 0 Middlesbrough 0 (Middlesbrough win on penalties), EFL Cup, October 2015

Middlesbrough 0 Manchester United 2 (Giggs, Park Ji Sung), Premier League, May 2009

Manchester United 1 (Berbatov) Middlesbrough 0, EFL Cup, December 2008

Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored the winning goal against Tottenham to hand Jose Mourinho his first big scalp in the Premier League (Getty)

Form guide…

Manchester United: DWWWWW

Middlesbrough: DWLLWL

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 15:00, Saturday 31 December 2016

TV: Highlights on Match of the Day, BBC TWO – 10pm

Odds…

Manchester United to win: 2/7

Middlesbrough: 12/1

Draw: 5/1

[31 December 2016 14:51 · Mark Critchley]

Just over 10 minutes to go until this afternoon's action, when Chelsea can extend their lead at the summit to nine points over second-placed Liverpool, who play Manchester City in the evening kick-off at Anfield. It could be a pivotal day in the title race.

Down at the bottom, it's also a big day for Sunderland, who know victory over Burnley at Turf Moor will take them out of the bottom three.

[31 December 2016 15:00 · Mark Critchley]

Kick-off

We're underway in the 3pm games

[31 December 2016 15:09 · Mark Critchley]

Leicester 0-0 West Ham

Almost an early breakthrough for the hosts as Slimani heads against the post.

[31 December 2016 15:11 · Mark Critchley]

Man Utd 0-0 Middlesbrough

The away side should be ahead at Old Trafford! Adama Traore leads a three-man Boro break but instead of passing he elects to shoot. Wide. Very wide.

[31 December 2016 15:12 · Mark Critchley]

Chelsea 0-0 Stoke City 

No goals at Stamford Bridge and not too much to warm the crowd. Eden Hazard has a 20-yard shot blocked for a corner as Chelsea settle to their task.

[31 December 2016 15:15 · Mark Critchley]

Manchester United 0-0 Middlesbrough

So close for United! Paul Pogba with a scissor-kick which grazes the outside of the post. Middlesbrough have played well in the early stages but United a whisker away from the first goal through their record signing.

[31 December 2016 15:17 · Mark Critchley]

Chelsea 0-0 Stoke City

Stoke scent a chance as Chelsea defender Azpilicueta is forced to cleared the ball from in front of goal.

At the other end, Costa brings down Fabregas's pass and forces a good save from Grant. This one is livening up.

[31 December 2016 15:20 · Mark Critchley]

Still waiting...

...for the first Premier League goal of the afternoon. Goalless in all six of the Premier League kick-offs.

[31 December 2016 15:22 · Mark Critchley]

GOAL - Leicester 1-0 West Ham

Right on cue, the first goal of the afternoon goes to Leicester City as Slimani heads home from Albrighton's cross. No chance for Randolph.

[31 December 2016 15:26 · Mark Critchley]

GOAL - Swansea 0-1 Bournemouth

Breakthrough for Bournemouth and more trouble for Swansea as Afobe gives Eddie Howe's side the lead at The Liberty Stadium.