In a week of intense speculation of the successor to Sir Bobby Robson, United may well have pulled off a bargain.
It remains to be seen who N'Zogbia will be managed by, as Boro boss Steve McClaren, while admitting he was tempted to a move further North, turned down a switch.
"There was something attractive about the job and it was flattering to be considered.
"But I owe it to a lot of people to build something at Boro that will last, not something to just turn my back on."
Terry Venables looks the most likely after conceding he had talked to chairman and dartboard bulls-eye Freddie Shepherd.