Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate admits Stewart Downing could be a long-term answer in central midfield.

After Downing's impressive showing against Manchester United, Southgate told the Evening Gazette: "We wanted to have a look at Stewart in the middle.

"We wanted to find a way of making sure that we got his qualities into the game.

"He's played most of his football wide left but I thought he did very well on Monday and he showed that he can play inside as well.

"In fact the central midfield three all did very well at Old Trafford.

"We wanted Julio Arca on the ball so that Stewart and Gary O'Neil could do a bit of the running.

"It gave us the opportunity to dictate at times and it stopped them getting a lot of their usual service from midfield.

"It's given me a lot to think about," he added.