Southgate satisfied with Old Trafford point

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate paid tribute to his team after they recovered from a dreadful start to claim a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Keiran Richardson gave United a third-minute lead and the Red Devils appeared to ready to go on and claim a clear victory.

However, Boro hit back and equalised through Mark Viduka in first-half injury-time.

Despite having the clearer opportunities, the hosts could not capitalise and became increasingly desperate – with their lead at the top of the table now just four points ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Newcastle tomorrow.

And United were fortunate not to concede a late penalty when John O’Shea appeared to bring down Dong Gook Lee.

Southgate told Sky Sports 1: “We’ve got to be pleased with a point coming here under the circumstances. We recovered from the worst possible start and then the timing of the equaliser and could have got something on the break.”

The Boro boss admitted he thought his team had been denied a penalty, saying: “It looked like it from where I was. These 50/50 calls don’t tend to go for us here.”