MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren believes ten-man Manchester United yesterday showed the resolve that can carry them to their ninth Premiership title.

The champions hung on to their 1-0 lead at the Riverside, despite the contentious sending-off of winger Darren Fletcher for two bookable offences.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men are now four points clear at the top and former Old Trafford No 2 McClaren stressed: "I always believe they are the favourites for the title.

"I know what they are all about and I know the mentality there - you saw it when they went down to ten men.

"I thought we showed them too much respect in the first half, but they were very dogged late in the game and 1-0 wins win championships. We believe we've lost to the champions-elect.''

After their 3-1 defeat at the Riverside on Boxing Day last year, United went unbeaten to the end of the season to lift the title.

And McClaren said: "They are capable of going 20-25 games unbeaten - they did it last season.''

Ferguson was furious with referee Matt Messias for dismissing Fletcher and slammed the decision as "ridiculous''.

Fletcher's first caution was for an innocuous challenge on Stuart Parnaby, who came on as a substitute to make his Boro comeback after nearly four months out with a cruciate injury.

A foul on Bolo Zenden saw Fletcher red-carded in the 64th minute and Ferguson said: "The referee made a rod for his own back with the first booking. On that principle, there should have been four or five players sent off.

"But there was nothing nasty in the game. Darren is just a boy, he makes two challenges, and he's sent off. He's only starting his career and he can do without that. He's never been that type of player.''

McClaren was equally unhappy with some of the referee's decisions and confronted him on the pitch at the interval.

Ferguson added: "What happened got the crowd going and their staff followed the referee down the tunnel at half-time.''

But McClaren played things down, saying: "I was just questioning some of the decisions because there were some silly bookings in the first half and some strange decisions.''

The game was ultimately decided by Quinton Fortune's 14th-minute goal, which was deflected off Boro right-back Danny Mills.

McClaren said: "I was disappointed to lose to a goal like that, but we lacked a cutting edge.''

Ferguson added: "I don't think they created a chance all match - most of them came from corners and long throw-ins.

"I thought we defended very well, but Middlesbrough were like tigers and you have to give them credit because they worked really hard.''

Read more about Middlesbrough here.