Karanka was sacked on Thursday after three and a half years at the club, with Boro in the relegation zone and without a win in 10 Premier League matches. They fell 2-0 behind on Sunday to goals from Marouane Fellaini and Jesse Lingard, before substitute Rudy Gestede pulled one back with Boro's first league goal for 509 minutes. But Victor Valdes' late slip allowed Antonio Valencia to tap in late on and seal United's victory. "I think the second goal is what set us back a little bit," said Agnew. "I couldn't be more proud of the players, the fighting spirit they showed, and the crowd was top-class. "If we show that commitment and that sort of intensity until the end of the season then we have a real chance of staying in this league."
Agnew said it was "a relief" to see the team end their Premier League goal drought. "When we got that goal, we had Manchester United defending in the box for their lives," he added. "We didn't quite get the bounce of the ball to get the equalizer, which on the balance of play I thought we deserved." Speaking before the game, Gibson had hinted Agnew could be Karanka's long-term successor as manager. He told the club's website: "I hope he's here this time next year or the year after. "He is a very good coach, a deep thinker, has loads of experience, knows this club, is a man of integrity and the players trust and like him. "I've known him a long, long time and he's a smashing lad. I think he can be the glue to unify us completely."
Gibson, who believes the Boro squad is good enough to stay up, also paid tribute to Karanka, who guided the club back into the top flight at the end of last season. "He's a great guy and he's part of our history," said Gibson. "He achieved something very difficult. "We are better because of him and I hope he is better because of the experience. We wish him all the very best. He deserves a good future in the game."
