STEVE McClaren has refuted suggestions that Saturday's 4-1 defeat provides irrefutable proof of Manchester United's decline, claiming Sir Alex Ferguson's side will bounce back from the humiliation when they entertain runaway league leaders Chelsea this weekend.

Middlesbrough's win leaves United some 13 points adrift of last season's champions and adds to the sense of chaos which has engulfed Old Trafford since controversial American tycoon Malcolm Glazer took control of the club in the summer.

Ferguson's side were booed from the field at the end of last month's defeat to Blackburn, with even the boss coming under fire for playing one man up front and standing by former contract rebel Rio Ferdinand.

McClaren knows all about receiving stick from his own fans after he was criticised in the wake of Boro's recent bore draw with Portsmouth, and Ferguson's former assistant is confident his one-time employers will produce an emphatic response on Sunday.

"I was there a few years ago when they lost 5-0 at Chelsea," said McClaren, who was at Ferguson's side when Manchester United won the treble in 1999. "I know all about the strengths of that club and the way it bounces back. I'm pleased I'm not playing them next.

"The title race? There's still a long way to go. There are many points to play for. I still think Manchester United will finish in the top three. They will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season."

Saturday's defeat was United's heaviest for more than 18 months and, allied to a trophy-less season last year, provides further evidence of the club's falling standards.

A midfield comprising an out-of-position Alan Smith, an out-of-form Paul Scholes and an out-of-their-depth Darren Fletcher and Park Ji Sung hardly instils the kind of fear the club were able to wreak at their peak.

Yet, showing commendable loyalty to his former boss, McClaren still claims Manchester United's current form is nothing more than a short-term blip.

"Things like this happen in football," said the Middlesbrough manager. "I spoke to Alex - we had a drink together. He knows football and knows it has ups and downs. He'll accept it like a gentleman. He knows you get days like that and quickly move on.

"The character is there in terms of the manager and the players they've got. I just think they came across a Middlesbrough team who gave a very good performance. You can only play as well as the opposition allows."

Ferguson was unusually candid after the game, telling his players they should be "upset with themselves" and admitting his side had conceded a succession of "terrible goals".

He did not go as far as conceding the title, but admitted that Chelsea were almost out of sight with November still to begin.

"We've been hoping that Chelsea drop points, but they're not doing so," said Ferguson. "The rest of us are scrabbling away hoping we can get some consistent form.

"Charlton have lost, Tottenham and Arsenal have drawn, we've lost.

"Nobody's getting the consistent form they need to challenge Chelsea.

"A lot of people are hoping that we're the team that can beat them and, of course, with the ability we have in our team, that is possible. But, on (Saturday's) form, I don't think we could beat anyone."

* McClaren has warned the Middlesbrough board they risk turning George Boateng into "another Bolo Zenden" unless they step up their attempts to tie him to a new long-term deal.

Boateng becomes a free agent in the summer, meaning he is free to talk to potential suitors in January, but initial contract talks have failed to make any progress.

Zenden walked away from the Riverside for nothing earlier this year after Boro officials refused to meet his wage demands, and McClaren fears the same thing could happen with Boateng unless progress is made soon.

"We've not got to make the mistakes of the summer," said the Boro boss.

"We've got to keep our best players, our biggest influences on the pitch and George is one of them.

"We want him to see out his career at Middlesbrough.

"We've got to be proactive and make sure we sort it. You can buy replacements but they cost a hell of a lot of money. They have got to learn their lessons from Bolo Zenden and make sure it doesn't happen.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.