Boro head across the Pennines on Saturday desperate to address a run of six Barclays Premiership games which have yielded just one win.

Successive defeats by Aston Villa and Liverpool have left the Teessiders perched uncomfortably in 14th place and still in need of the point or two to prevent them being dragged into the battle against relegation.

However, they boast an impressive record against United in recent years, having won five and drawn three of their last 14 meetings, and they have twice returned from Old Trafford with all three points.

The two sides have met three times already this season, with Boro on both occasions bemoaning the award of controversial penalties.

However, Downing is hoping his side can spring a surprise once again to blow the title race wide open.

The winger said: "We have to pick ourselves up now because we have got to go to Old Trafford on Saturday and look to be more positive.

"I do not know whether it is a good thing or a bad thing to have Manchester United next - obviously they will be under pressure to get all three points, so maybe we can hit them on the break.

"We have got some good results there in the past, but talk is cheap and we need to go there and show what we are capable of."

In March 2002, Alen Boksic's lone strike at Old Trafford separated the sides while, in February 2004, a double from Juninho helped the Teesiders to a 3-2 victory.

However, this time, Boro face the in-form title contenders with their own confidence having been severely dented.

Gareth Southgate's men were woeful in defeat by Villa at the Riverside Stadium last Saturday and, although the manager was more satisfied with last night's performance at Anfield, Steven Gerrard's double was more than enough to secure the points for Liverpool.

Downing told the club's official website, www.mfc.co.uk: "They [Liverpool] have got quality players all over the park. [Jermaine] Pennant was a threat all night and when you have got the likes of [Bolo] Zenden and [Peter] Crouch in your side, you are always going to create chances.

"They are a good team and sometimes you have got to hold your hands up and say you were beaten by the better side.

"We went there with nothing to lose, but we were just disappointed we did not really test them at the back.

"We let them play too much and if you do that against the likes of Liverpool, you are going to be punished.

"We were hoping to get a point out of the game and on the day, it would have taken something very special to achieve that. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be.

"That is the difference between the top and bottom teams: if you switch off, they will hurt you and Gerrard did just that."