The 31-year-old striker looked to have blown the Premiership title race wide open at the weekend when he headed home the equaliser at Old Trafford that handed Chelsea the chance to reduce the gap at the top of the table to a single point.

In the event, derby rivals Newcastle repeated the feat the following day when the Blues left St James' Park with only a goalless draw to show for their efforts as the north-east duo had their say over the big prize.

Boro's draw ended a run of two successive defeats and effectively confirmed their place in the Premiership for next season.

However, it also extended their remarkable record against United in recent years.

Of the last 15 meetings between the two sides, the Teessiders have now won five - including two at Old Trafford - and drawn four, an enviable return for a side which currently lies 14th in the league table.

Manager Gareth Southgate knows his side, who have also beaten Chelsea this season and drawn home and away with Arsenal, needs to perform better against the lesser teams in the division.

Viduka admits inconsistency has been a problem, but is hoping a corner has now been turned.

He said: "I don't like to compare games because there are no similarities for me. You approach each match in a unique way and play the side on their own merits.

"We have been on a bad run and nobody wants to lose a game, but to go to Old Trafford and get a result like that is fantastic.

"I think we are turning out to be somewhat of a bogey team for Manchester United. Hopefully we can go on from here and finish the season with a bang."

The draw at Old Trafford took Boro to 40 points for the season, seven clear of the drop zone with home games against Tottenham and Fulham and a trip to Wigan to come.

Having set out hoping for a top-six finish, that is well below expectations, even when considering the appointment of a new manager last summer.

Indeed, the Teessiders have won only one of their last seven league games and taken just five of the 21 points on offer, making the draw at United all the more impressive.

It came courtesy of Viduka's header in first-half injury-time, his 15th goal of the season and one which provided further illustration of the need to tie up his future with his current deal expiring this summer.

The Australia international and his representatives are currently in talks with the club, but in the meantime, he is happy to be playing his part, even if he feels he might have done a bit more at the weekend.

He told the club's official website, www.mfc.co.uk: "Stewart Downing put in a fantastic cross and I was fortunate enough to get on the end of it.

"It was a well worked goal - but I had a couple more opportunities and I am still kicking myself about it now.

"It was a very difficult game - it's always intense when we play Manchester United and I thought we did a really good job.

"You should have seen how happy everyone was in the dressing room. That's what you play football for."