Steve Agnew can keep Middlesbrough in Premier League – Rudy Gestede

Rudy Gestede celebrates his goal against Manchester United at the weekend.

Rudy Gestede is backing interim head coach Steve Agnew to steer Middlesbrough to Premier League safety.

Agnew was handed the reins by chairman Steve Gibson on Thursday following Aitor Karanka’s departure, and he presided over an improved performance, but ultimately a 3-1 home defeat, against Manchester United on Sunday.

However, striker Gestede, who scored Boro’s first goal in 510 minutes of league football after coming on as a substitute, believes he deserves the chance to see out the season at the very least.

He said: “I hope he stays until the end of the season now. Why not? He deserves his chance. He knows us, and I think it would be very hard for another manager to come in for the last 10 games. He is the right appointment.

“It has been a tough week for all the players. I will always be very grateful to him [Karanka] because he brought me into the club and gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League again.

“Now, we are all behind Steve. We know he can bring some fire into the team because he has amazing spirit. He is trying to share that spirit with the team. He was here from the start of the season, so he knows us very well. I think it was natural for us to be under his management.”

With 10 games remaining, Boro find themselves in 19th place and five points adrift of safety.

Jose Mourinho gets another jab in at Manchester United’s fixture calendar after handling Middlesbrough 3-1 in the Premier League.

Perhaps more worryingly, they have not won in the league in 11 attempts dating back to December 17, and that has to change and change fast if they are to avoid the drop.

Gestede said: “We want to stay up, so we have to go for it and win games. That has to be the attitude no matter who we face.

“Manchester United are a good side, but we knew we had to play our way and that will be the same whoever we face in the rest of the season.