Southgate to make Boro into next Man United!

Aug 10 2008 by Steve Brown, Sunday Sun

BORING, boring Boro? Not if Gareth Southgate has anything to do with it . . .

For the Middlesbrough boss means to fashion his side — wait for it — along the lines of Manchester United.

And Southgate believes new signing Marvin Emnes, pictured left, can play a helping hand in those plans.

With the exception of that incredible last-day win over Manchester City, the Teessiders never scored more than twice in any game last season.

So with Southgate determined to improve his side’s attacking potency, it is the example of the Red Devil’s offensive fluency to which he has turned for inspiration.

“People might pop up left, right or through the middle,” he said.

“With the likes of Jeremie (Aliadiere) and Tuncay, Adam (Johnson) as well, we’ve got players who can play left, right or centrally.

“That’s important, you look at the way teams like Manchester United played last season — (Cristiano) Ronaldo’s up the middle, (Wayne) Rooney’s wide on the left. I think the way the game’s going you’ve got to have that flexibility.

“We’ve brought in Marvin (Emnes) for that reason, he can play right, left or through the middle. I heard him say he actually prefers the left but what we mean is that as a team we want to have more flexibility in our forward play.”

Emnes has already demonstrated flashes of his ability — and adaptability — playing wide right and up front during pre-season, scoring against Darlington last week, and Southgate is excited by the Dutchman’s promise.

“We’re really pleased to have signed Marvin, obviously the lure of playing in the Premier League is a big one,” said Southgate.

“He’s from Rotterdam and that (Emnes could have joined Rotterdam-based Feyenoord) is a big thing for him to turn down. But I think he feels that we’re a club that gives young players a chance and we’re delighted to have signed him.”