![\"Riley](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_Sheffield-United-v-Middlesbrough-Sky-Bet-Championship.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHow the Middlesbrough players rated after a superb away win at Sheffield United<\/p>\n
Riley McGree of Middlesbrough celebrates with his team after scoring(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Middlesbrough moved top of the Championship with a statement win and excellent away performance at Sheffield United.<\/p>\n
Becoming the first team since Derby County on November 1 to beat Chris Wilder\u2019s side at Bramall Lane in the league, Boro were well up for the battle as they moved two points clear of Coventry City at the top of the table.<\/p>\n
First-half goals from Tommy Conway and Riley McGree sealed a huge win in the race for promotion to the Premier League, with Patrick Bamford scoring what proved only a consolation as Joe Rothwell\u2019s silly red card halted the home side\u2019s late push for an equaliser. Here\u2019s how the Boro players rated.<\/p>\n
Sol Brynn – 8<\/p>\n
Nothing he could do with the goal, but he made a couple of top saves to help Boro win this one. The one in the first half to deny Gus Hamer at 1-0 felt particularly crucial.<\/p>\n
Callum Brittain – 8<\/p>\n
Really good in possession throughout, supporting the attack when he could, while generally just being calm on the ball when Boro needed to take the sting out of things. Marking Hamer, who is always a danger, but generally limited him well.<\/p>\n
Adilson Malanda – 8<\/p>\n
Superb at the back for Boro. Stood up to his toughest test yet in England to show his class in and out of possession.<\/p>\n
Luke Ayling – 9<\/p>\n
A fair shout to be Boro\u2019s man of the match. He was dominant for Boro to keep them in possession and controlled for so much of the game, regularly winning his duels against Patrick Bamford. Some of his passes and runs out of defence were excellent too, including the ball into Whittaker to start the move for the first goal.<\/p>\n
Matt Targett – 8<\/p>\n
Had the task of marking the in-form Andre Brooks, who came into this game with a goal in each of his last three games. Target barely gave him a sniff throughout, while producing his usual reliable performance.<\/p>\n
Alan Browne – 8<\/p>\n
Another game where it was hard to define exactly what position Browne was playing. That\u2019s ultimately because he covers every blade of grass. He typified the aggressive, battling side of Boro\u2019s performance, while there were some lovely touches on the ball too.<\/p>\n
Aidan Morris – 8<\/p>\n
These are the games where Morris won\u2019t steal the headlines, but you see how important he is to Boro as a whole, but particularly to Hackney. He always showed for the ball and helped Boro look composed in possession for the majority of the game as a result. Out of possession, he was so aggressive in helping Boro quickly win possession so often, while protecting the back four, to free Hackney more.<\/p>\n
Hayden Hackney – 9<\/p>\n
Another performance where he showed why so many Premier League sides are paying close attention to him. He\u2019s oozing confidence when he gets on the ball and is starting to look a class above the Championship. Crucially, he battled too, and helped Boro turn over possession in the Blades\u2019 half often.<\/p>\n
Morgan Whittaker – 8<\/p>\n
Though he didn\u2019t manage to get a goal in this one, he was involved in so many positive attacks and was quite unlucky a couple of times not to get on the scoresheet. In general though, he took up good positions and moved the ball well. Such a clever flick to free up McGree in the build-up to the first goal.<\/p>\n
Riley McGree – 9<\/p>\n
Another superb performance, highlighting how important he is to Boro. Involved in so many positive attacks, including an assist for the first goal, he picked up clever pockets of space throughout. He then doubled Boro\u2019s lead with a more difficult finish than it looked with his head on the rebound.<\/p>\n
Tommy Conway – 9<\/p>\n
Missed an early chance after being forced wide on his weaker foot but made no mistake ten minutes later when he finished clinically to put Boro ahead. Beyond that, it was a typical work-horse performance where he peeled wide to set-off many counters, while his work to track back was so often very important.<\/p>\n
Substitutions<\/p>\n
Alex Gilbert (For McGree, 68\u2019) – 7 – Helped ensure Boro managed to get over the line with some composed passes to keep possession, or clever runs.<\/p>\n
Dael Fry (For Whittaker, 77\u2019) – N\/A<\/p>\n
David Strelec (For Conway, 77\u2019) – N\/A<\/p>\n
Jeremy Sarmiento (For Morris, 86\u2019) – N\/A<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_Middlesbrough-v-Birmingham-City-Sky-Bet-Championship.jpg\")
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