United are just one point ahead of second-placed Arsenal, having played two games more, while Liverpool can depose them as league leaders if they beat Chelsea at Anfield tomorrow.

Ferguson claims it is out of United’s hands now and he said: ‘‘We need other teams to make mistakes.

‘‘It’s a situation we have had in the past and I would say that Arsenal are now strong favourites.

‘‘Our game against them will probably take place in the last week of the season which may give us an opportunity to have a go at them.

‘‘But we’ve still got to play Leeds and Chelsea away so it’s looking very difficult now.

‘‘But we will keep going and that’s the nature of this club. ‘‘The players know that themselves and they are very disappointed.’’

Ferguson had no complaints about the defeat - United’s second in their last 17 league games - and felt the Reds were just not good enough.

‘‘There are no excuses today,’’ he said on MUTV. ‘‘We didn’t play well enough on the day and it’s a disappointing day.

‘‘We didn’t really start well and they scored in that period.

‘‘I thought we were sloppy throughout the team and there was no great urgency about us.

‘‘After that they just sat in there and defended in the box and it was difficult for us.

‘‘We didn’t show enough quality on the day. We just needed better quality in the final third of the field and we didn’t have it.

‘‘In fairness we didn’t deserve to win and we just looked flat.’’

Despite the loss, Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren claimed United were still very much in the title race.

‘‘I’m biased, but I still think there will be a few more twists and turns in the championship race,’’ he said.

‘‘I still wouldn’t bet against them. It’s a blow for them, but I think there are going to be a lot more strange results from now until the end of the season.

‘‘I’m sure Arsenal and Liverpool have got difficult games ahead as well.

‘‘I think it’s still wide open and although this might be disappointing for United, other teams still have difficult games and they might slip up as well.

‘‘I’m just glad I’m not playing them next that’s the only thing I can say.’’

The victory was only Boro’s second in the league at Old Trafford since 1930 and McClaren was delighted to make a winning return to his former club.

‘‘Of course it’s nice,’’ he said. ‘‘But it would have been the same if I had won at Anfield, Highbury, Elland Road or somewhere like that and it’s still three points.

‘‘Winning is always satisfying and today I’m very satisfied. ‘‘But we’ve still got work to do in the league and we can’t rest on our laurels.’’

McClaren’s joy was marred by a booking to skipper Paul Ince which means he will be suspended for Boro’s FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal at Old Trafford next month.

‘‘That’s a massive blow for us and I thought he was magnificent today,’’ said McClaren.