Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will hand Cristiano Ronaldo a start in their Carling Cup tie with Middlesbrough.

Ronaldo has made a quicker recovery than expected since having surgery on his right ankle on July 7, but Ferguson has restricted him to two appearances as a substitute in the draws against Villarreal and Chelsea in the past week.

The forward has not started a match since playing for Portugal in their European Championship quarter-final defeat by Germany on June 19, but he is expected to play as he builds up his fitness for United's forthcoming matches against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday and Aalborg in the Champions League next Tuesday.