Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate believes the influence of the senior players at Manchester United is critical to their success.

Southgate said: "There's such a machine in place there now. It certainly doesn't run itself because they've got a fantastic manager, but they have added five or six huge signings over the last couple of years and this year's squad is incredibly strong.

"What Sir Alex has built is something that will have a longevity about it beyond when he leaves.

"The way that the senior players now I'm sure have a huge influence on any player coming in to join that dressing-room they will have constant reminders of how they should perform and what's expected at the football club.

"They don't need the manager to do that. You've got players like Giggs, Neville and Scholes to do that - it's ingrained. That's great credit to the manager and what he's built up over the years."