GEORGE BOATENG reckons he gave up the chance to become a "legend'' at Aston Villa for a fresh challenge with Middlesbrough.

The Dutch midfielder, 27 yesterday, left Villa Park under a cloud when he moved to Teesside in a £5m summer deal.

But he insisted: "I could have probably been a legend at Villa. I stepped out of the comfort zone because I needed a new challenge.

"People should not forget that, although I am quite mature and experienced, this is still a new experience for me at Middlesbrough.''

Boateng has admitted that Boro fans will have to wait before they see the best of him.

"My performances will get better,'' he said. "I'll score goals, create chances and win tackles.

"But people have to give me time to get things right. I'm busy looking for a house and I have to settle in here. Sooner or later, the crowd are going to see the best of me.'' Boro lost 1-0 at Manchester United on Tuesday to a disputed Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty.

Holland striker van Nistelrooy was adjudged by referee Mike Riley to have been impeded by Boro centre-back Ugo Ehiogu.

But Boateng, who spoke to his Dutch international teammate after the game, said: "I asked him if it was a penalty and he was smiling. I thought it was harsh. I thought the referee should have played on because Ruud still had a chance to score.''

Meanwhile, striker Alen Boksic has pulled out of Croatia's Euro 2004 qualifier against Estonia because of the thigh injury which forced him to miss the Old Trafford clash. Boro are hoping he will be fit for Tuesday's derby duel with Sunderland at the Riverside Stadium. Szilard Nemeth will miss Slovakia's qualifier against Turkey, despite scoring for Boro Reserves in their 1-1 home draw with Leeds on Wednesday.

With one eye on the Sunderland game, Boro boss Steve McClaren was reluctant to risk Nemeth while he recovers fully from the hamstring injury sustained on international duty last month.

* Former Boro striker Marco Branca, now scouting for Inter Milan, was at Old Trafford on Tuesday night checking out Massimo Maccarone.

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