Southgate makes Cup appeal to fans

Gareth Southgate has appealed for Middlesbrough fans not to snub their FA Cup quarter-final with Manchester United again.

Less than 18,000 Boro fans turned up the last time United came to the Riverside for a televised FA Cup tie five years ago, and the Middlesbrough manager believes a near-full house would greatly aid his side.

Southgate told www.thefa.com: “We’re hoping for a good crowd, but you can never guarantee these things. It’s another live TV game and that does have a big impact.

“People can’t always afford to come and, if they can see it live on TV, it’s a difficult decision for them.

“All I would say is the bigger the crowd the better the opportunity for us - they can make it a really hostile atmosphere.”

Southgate was a United fan as a boy after his family moved north to Bury.

He added: “Bryan Robson was my hero, and also Steve Coppell, because they were playing for Manchester United when I was young.”