STEVE McCLAREN is mapping out a blueprint for sustained success at Middlesbrough based on Manchester United's old winning formula.

While United might be currently in crisis - Sunday's shattering 4-1 defeat by rivals City all but killed off Sir Alex Ferguson's hopes of hanging on to the Premiership title - McClaren knows from first-hand experience what is needed to keep the trophies coming.

The Boro manager was Ferguson's assistant when United claimed their historic Premiership, FA Cup and European Cup treble five years ago.

Now, after masterminding Boro's Carling Cup final triumph over Bolton at the end of last month to bring Teesside its first major silverware, McClaren is looking for his players to show the mentality that once saw United sweep the board.

McClaren insisted: "The Cup win hasn't made me feel any different as manager. We celebrated it but, as I've already said to the players and everyone else, the season is not over yet.

"It's hard to get where you want to be, but it's even harder to stay there. I know, having worked at Man. United, what it takes and I'll be looking for those qualities in our players.

"The feeling of winning was thing that drove the players at United - they liked the feeling, they wanted more of it and they worked harder each time to achieve it.''

McClaren has revealed he is in contract talks with six players as he looks to shape his squad for next season when Boro will make their bow in top-level European competiton in the UEFA Cup.

Striker Joseph-Desire Job, midfielder Doriva and winger Stewart Downing, who have all attracted attention from other clubs, are out of contract this summer, while skipper Gareth Southgate, defensive partner Ugo Ehiogu and goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, each have a year left on their existing deals.

McClaren said: "We are planning ahead and we want to keep all our best players. In fact, we are working on six deals and hope to tie them up.

"We have been talking to Joseph, Doriva and Stewart and we are looking ahead at Ehiogu, Southgate and Schwarzer, who have another year to run at the end of this season.

"All of them have indicated to me that they would like to stay, so I am very hopeful that we will reach agreements with them.''

McClaren also has to resolve the futures of on-loan pair Danny Mills and Bolo Zenden.

Leeds right-back Mills and Chelsea midfielder Zenden are on temporary terms until the end of the season