Gareth Southgate insists there is no need for panic at Middlesbrough despite the Teessiders' atrocious run of form of one point from six games.

Despite adopting enterprising tactics and levelling through Jeremie Aliadiere, they slipped to a 4-1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

It was their fourth successive Premier League defeat and their fifth in all competitions including a Carling Cup reverse at crisis-club Tottenham.

"Results are what it is about and we need to pick up some points," he admitted.

"We are in a position we are not comfortable with. We knew there was a strong possibility of that before the weekend's fixtures but, while we have to accept it, we don't like it.

"But there is no need for panic. What we have to do over the next seven or eight games leading up to Christmas is steadily pick our way out of it."