Manchester United legend's bold Middlesbrough message after 'battering teams' verdict

This is an exciting time to be a Middlesbrough fan - if Michael Carrick can find the solution to the problems which have hampered his side so far this season.

That's the verdict of former Boro and Manchester United defender Gary Pallister who is a big fan of the what Carrick is doing at the Riverside. The Teessiders have seen promising moments punctuated by big letdowns, with wins over the likes of Sheffield United and West Brom contrasted with home defeats to Bristol City and Coventry.

Boro bounced back from that 3-0 Riverside setback to the Sky Blues by recording back-to-back wins over Queens Park Rangers and Luton Town, leaving Carrick's men seventh in a tightly-packed Championship table.

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Pallister keeps a close eye on his former side's progress as a proud Teessider and feels exciting times are ahead provided they can find the consistency need to maintain a promotion challenge.

"Middlesborough have played some great football, but they seem to keep finding ways to lose games," he told luckyblock.com. "They had a man sent off after 20 minutes against Coventry, they threw a 3-1 lead against Norwich and got beat 2-0 at home by Bristol City.

"Whenever I have watched them, the style of football is terrific and really entertaining, but if you can't turn that into points, the danger is that you can find yourself cut adrift of the race for promotion, and even play-offs.

"I back Michael Carrick, he’s installed a belief and style of play in his squad. His players aren’t scared to try things on the pitch, and he will be frustrated like many Middlesborough fans as his football and the team deserve for them to be higher in the table.

"The style of football is certainly good enough for them to be up the top of the table, they’ve been battering teams but finding ways to lose the game – it’ll turn. They must find the answers to those problems, but I think it’s an exciting time at the Riverside."