2005/06 Cup Progress UEFA Cup Final vs Sevilla (n) - lost 4-0. FA Cup Semi Final vs West Ham United (n) - lost 1-0. Carling Cup Quarter Final vs Blackburn Rovers (h) - lost 1-0.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Yakubu (striker) - 19 goals.
Players In Julio Arca (Sunderland - ?1,750,000), Herold Goulon (Lyon - Undisclosed).
Players Out Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink (Charlton Athletic - Free), Franck Queudrue (Fulham - Free), Brad Jones (Sheffield Wednesday - Loan), Danny Graham (Blackpool - Loan), Doriva (Released), Colin Cooper (Released).
Middlesbrough's league form suffered last season due to their involvement in the later stages of various cup competitions, including making the final of the UEFA Cup where they lost out to Spanish outfit Sevilla.
The Boro will start the new campaign under new management, with veteran defender Gareth Southgate taking over in place of Steve McClaren, who became the new England manager at the end of Sven Goran Eriksson's tenure.
Southgate stamped his authority on the team immediately by appointing George Boateng as captain following the Dutch midfielder's decision to sign a new three year deal in the summer. He also showed there would be no "old pals act" when he took the decision to release veteran duo Doriva and Colin Cooper, while also not offering Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink a new contract.
Defender Chris Riggott showed his support for Southgate's appointment by signing a new four year contract after establishing himself as a regular starter last season. He arrived from Derby County in a joint ?3 million deal with Malcom Christie in 2003 and even wore the captain's armband occasionally last term
Middlesbrough beat off interest in Espanyol to sign midfielder Julio Arca from rivals Sunderland for ?1.75 million. Arca joined the Black Cats from Argentinos Juniors six years ago for ?3.5 million and made 177 appearances for the club.
Teenage Lyon midfielder Herold Goulon joined the club on a three year deal following three years at the French National Football Academy in Clarefontaine while the club are also interested in bringing Chelsea defender Robert Huth to the club on an initial loan deal. Despite speculation linking him with moves to both Arsenal and Manchester United, last season's top goal scorer Yakubu is still at the club.
Verdict With no involvement in Europe next season, rookie manager Southgate can concentrate solely on the Premiership and try to emulate the seventh placed finish of two seasons ago.
2005/06 Cup Progress Champions League Groups Stage FA Cup Fifth Round vs Liverpool (a) - lost 1-0. Carling Cup Final vs Wigan Athletic (n) - won 4-0.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Ruud van Nistelrooy (striker) - 24 goals.
Players In Michael Carrick (Tottenham Hotspur - ?18,600,000).
Players Out Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid - ?10,200,000), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United - ?500,000), Sylvain Ebanks-Blake (Plymouth Argyle - ?200,000), Quinton Fortune (Bolton Wanderers - Free), Eddie Johnson (Bradford City - Free), Phil Picken (Chesterfield - Free), Tommy Lee (Macclesfield Town - Free), Tim Howard (Everton - Loan).
The former Premiership champions were still light years away from Chelsea last season despite finishing in second place. An overall disappointing season was brought to life in the closing stages as United won 12 of their last 16 fixtures but could not close the gap on Jose Mourinho's side.
United may find it a tough ask to remain as the Premier League's second best team, following the loss of top goal scorer Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid in a ?10.2 million deal and the team will miss the guaranteed 20 plus goals he provides.
Midfield was an area United struggled with last season. With no replacement for Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs was forced to fill in in central midfield and with the likes of Ji Sung Park and Ronaldo in the same side, it was an area that looked particularly lightweight compared to other sides competing at the top. Bullish forward Wayne Rooney was forced on several occasions last season to drop back to midfield and even defence to help out his struggling team mates.
Manager Alex Ferguson has tried to address this problem in the summer by recruiting Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Michael Carrick, but at an inflated transfer fee of ?18.6 million. The initial fee is believed to be ?13 million, with the balance dependent on the player's appearances, international caps and overall club success. No other player created more chances last season or delivered more accurate cross field balls than Carrick so Ferguson obviously sees him as more than just the "holding" player he has become known as.
Ferguson is also keen on Villarreal midfielder Marcos Senna and also sees Paul Scholes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer return from lengthy spells out of the game. Long serving defender Quinton Fortune has been allowed to leave for Bolton Wanderers while defensive prospect Jonathan Spector has joined West Ham United.
Verdict Only time will tell if Alex Ferguson has put all his eggs into one basket with the signing of Michael Carrick, but with both Liverpool and Arsenal making progress, United may finish as low as fourth next season.
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