STEVE McCLAREN regarded Middlesbrough's against all odds display at Manchester United yesterday as one of the best since he took over on Teesside three years ago.

With seven players out injured, McClaren was forced to hand teenagers Tony McMahon and James Morrison their first Premiership starts against Sir Alex Ferguson's title hopefuls.

Another member of last season's FA Youth Cup winning team, Andrew Taylor, was on the bench while young striker Danny Graham was used as a second half substitute.

Goalscorer Stewart Downing has only recently turned 20 but Middlesbrough were just nine minutes away from recording an incredible third win in four seasons at Old Trafford when Alan Smith equalised.

The fact Middlesbrough, who were in UEFA Cup action on Thursday night, went close to claiming an unlikely win was not lost on a delighted McClaren.

"It's one of the most memorable performances that I have seen in my time at Middlesbrough," said McClaren, whose side won 3-2 at United last season.

"Considering what we have been through it's a great result. Getting back late on Thursday night-Friday morning, playing three 18-year-olds because of a huge injury list and to play them against a team like Man United who have really hit form and are performing like that, is great.

"There were three 18-year-olds for us and it's exciting times. If they're good enough they're old enough.

"You can ring superlatives about all the players but you have to defend and play good football. That's what we did.

"The result is a bonus but the performance was fantastic. Anybody who had seen the team sheet beforehand would not have given us a hope.

"No-one gave us a prayer and to come away with a point is tremendous. The beauty of any sport is that the underdog is there and it sometimes has its day."

Middlesbrough's point has pushed them back into the top half of the table, while United are now nine points adrift of leaders Arsenal, who look destined to finish ahead of the rest again.

McClaren, formerly assistant to Ferguson before taking over at the Riverside Stadium, still has a great deal of affection for United but has been pleased with his record at Old Trafford since leaving.

"I enjoyed my time there immensely.

"It's a difficult place to go and I have enjoyed my last couple of visits," he said.

"Everyone gets a hiccup but for me they are back on track and back to their best.

"We had everything going for us and rode our luck.

"But United will bounce back and will be there.

"Nine points are a lot but they have to beat Arsenal and Chelsea. If they do it's anyone's."

McClaren also revealed that he hopes to have six of his seven injured first team stars, with the exception of Michael Reiziger, fit to face Blackburn a week on Saturday.

But striker Mark Viduka, one of those missing yesterday, has pulled out of the Australia squad to face the Solomon Islands this week with his hip problem.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.