Seven regulars were missing as Steve McClaren drafted in UEFA Cup hero James Morrison and Tony McMahon for their first Premiership starts. It made for a team of youth and experience, with the average age of just 25.
In front of the Premiership's biggest ever gate, just twelve short of 68,000, the younsters were not overawed and could have come away with all three points.
After soaking up early pressure Boro took the lead with half an hour gone. Stewart Downing finished a move he started, connecting with a superb cross from young Morrison.
United threw caution to the wind with 20 minutes left and brought on Alan Smith for defender John O'Shea. The gamble paid off when Smith grabbed the equaliser with less than 10 minutes left.
But Boro hung on for a well deserved point.