United boss Brian McDermott was drawing on the positive of a point after Saturday's goalless draw at Middlesbrough.

A first half penalty decision proved costly while new loan signing Jack Butland made some excellent saves for United.

“They missed a chance at the end of the game and it looked like we should have had a blatant penalty in the first half,” said the boss. “I certainly don’t see it as two points lost.

“There has been enough negativity around the place recently and we want to move into positive territory. So that was a positive point on Saturday.

“We are trying to get somewhere with 10 games to go. We are trying to get close if we can. We’d had some difficult away games at Brighton where there was nothing in the game, and it was the same on Saturday.

“We want to try and win those games away from home 1-0 if we can. That will be the difference when we become a really good side that is challenging. We are not at that stage yet but that is where we need to get to.”

The boss was high in praise for his new loan signing Butland, who was named the Man of the Match.

“Jack Butland was outstanding on Saturday. He made a couple of fantastic saves,” added the manager. “Everyone put in a real shift and everyone gave everything for the shirt.

“Jack has come in and he made some fantastic saves. He came for crosses. He is hungry, he wants to go to the World Cup with England and we want to help him.

“I thought that the supporters were terrific and they travelled in numbers again.”