Despite interest from European giants Bayern Munich, Australian No.1 Mark Schwarzer is showing the kind of tunnel vision he usually reserves for penalty shoot-outs.

Champions League quarter-finalist Bayern are said to be interested in signing the Boro goalie in the summer, but Schwarzer has enough on his plate without having to worry about transfer speculation.

He said: "It's a very flattering link with Bayern Munich. It is always flattering to be linked with big clubs like that.

"But all I am concentrating on is playing well for Middlesbrough. We still have a big season ahead of us because we still have a great deal we can achieve in two competitions.

"I also have a big summer ahead with Australia, so I have plenty of things to concentrate on at the moment."

The 34-year-old Australian and his team-mates head for Old Trafford on Tuesday morning for a quarter-final replay after a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Riverside Stadium last weekend.

They will do so full of confidence having recorded two wins and two draws in their last six visits to the Theatre of Dreams.

Boro have lost only once in their last 15 games in all competitions, and Schwarzer's form has been a major factor in that.

And with Watford awaiting the winners in the semi-finals, that is a run the Teessiders firmly believe they can extend.

Schwarzer said: "There is still a long, long way to go. We face a formidable task at old Trafford.

"They are one of the top teams in the country, if not Europe, and they have world-class players.

"We know we have to be on the top of our game when we go to Old Trafford.

"How the game goes will depend on how we perform, but we know if we play as well as we possibly can, we might cause an upset.

"It is a big possibility. Going to Old Trafford and getting a result is never easy, but we will try."

Boro have needed replays in each of the previous three rounds, and the fourth and fifth round clashes with Bristol City and West Brom both went to penalties.

Schwarzer knows he could be called upon to make a major contribution once again if the scores are level at the end of 120 minutes, but that is not a prospect he fears.

He said: "I would be very, very happy if we were to win it 1-0 in a dull game, but if it goes to penalties, then so be it.

"It is my job to go out there and face them. Obviously you do not see too many penalties for the opposition at Old Trafford, but it would be an experience.

"Facing penalties in front of 70,000 people would be exciting, and hopefully it would get me in the right frame of mind."

However, before Boro can even think about the FA Cup, they have an important Barclays Premiership clash with United's derby rivals Manchester City at the Riverside on Saturday with the visitors' boss Stuart Pearce under immense pressure.

Gareth Southgate's men currently lie 12th in the league table, just six points better off than struggling City, and victory on Saturday is the immediate priority.

Schwarzer said: "Their manager is under a bit of pressure and they have been licking their wounds following some disappointing results and getting knocked out of the cup.

"They are under a lot of pressure to perform, but that will make them more difficult to play against.

"By the same token, we have done well at home since around Christmas time.

"We have made the Riverside a bit of a fortress with the run of games we have had and we want to keep it that way."