Cristiano Ronaldo kept United in the FA Cup with a second half penalty that earned a 2-2 draw in the quarter-final at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Premiership leaders United, who are also in the last eight of the Champions League, went ahead through a first half strike by Wayne Rooney before Lee Cattermole equalized on the stroke of half-time.
George Boateng headed the home team in front within a minute of the restart, but the Dutch midfielder was penalized for handball 22 minutes from time and Ronaldo converted from the spot to set up a replay at Old Trafford later this month.
United were forced into an unexpected change prior to kick-off when experienced Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar suffered a calf injury in the pre-match warm-up.
Pole Tomasz Kuszczak replaced Holland's most capped player in an otherwise full-strength team but, without a third senior goalkeeper in the squad, Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to name five outfield substitutes.
Kuszczak had been afforded only eight minutes to get his bearings in front of the massed ranks of United supporters when Middlesbrough's England international Stewart Downing forced the former West Bromwich Albion player into a fine save.
But van der Sar's understudy inspired a typically fluid United move and a succession of rapid passes culminated in Rooney striking a firm volley just wide.
The England international's radar was, however, perfect in the 23rd minute after Middlesbrough's left back Andrew Taylor conceded possession inside his own half.
Giggs claimed the loose ball and played a short pass to his left. Rooney stepped inside two defenders before drilling a right footed shot beyond Schwarzer from the edge of the area.
Nine minutes before the break Giggs struck the post from a Gary Neville pass but Cattermole brought the clash to life when he levelled for the home team in the 45th minute.
Middlesbrough were in the ascendancy and the 1997 finalists took the lead a minute after the restart when Boateng headed his first FA Cup goal for eight years.
However, the Netherlands international went from hero to villain in the 67th minute when Giggs floated in a corner from the right and, with England defender Rio Ferdinand in his line of vision, both of Boateng's hands made contact with the ball.
Ronaldo comfortably converted from the spot for his 17th goal of the season.
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