PATRICK BAMFORD thinks Aitor Karanka has shown the managerial traits of Jose Mourinho after masterminding Middlesbrough’s heroic FA Cup victory over Premier League champions Manchester City.

Boro displayed top tier class all over the pitch to clinch a 2-0 win over a mega-rich City squad still dreaming of Champions League glory ahead of next month’s last-16 date with Barcelona.

It was a success which has stunned the rest of the country, but the sort of performance that Middlesbrough’s players felt confident of turning in and Bamford was delighted to play a significant part.

The 21-year-old, on loan from Chelsea where he has worked under Mourinho, is loving life on Teesside and has even hinted he could be willing to return to the Riverside if Middlesbrough can follow up their FA Cup run with promotion.

Karanka’s stock has risen hugely this season and winning at the Etihad Stadium has increased that further. Guiding Middlesbrough back to the top-flight would see clubs across Europe take notice and Bamford can see why.

Asked if the Spaniard is a mini-Mourinho, Bamford replied: “Yes, I think he is getting there!”

And, after scoring the first goal against Manchester City, he explained there are a lot of similarities in the way Karanka works with Chelsea’s Portuguese.

“Definitely, training is very similar. And the big thing is the desire to win,” said the Middlesbrough head coach. “You could see that against City – the passion, every detail is in there, he doesn’t miss out a thing.

“He is very rigorous with his approach to every single game, whether it is Manchester City or whoever else we might play. Even if it was a lower league team in the Cup it would be the same approach. It is all about winning.”

After Manchester City, Karanka’s attention turns straight to a trip to Brentford on Saturday. The Bees climbed to within a point of second placed Middlesbrough on Saturday, so the test at Griffin Park will bring its own problems.

The priority remains sealing a return to the Premier League for the first time since relegation in 2009 and if that can be delivered then Bamford has revealed he could be back.

He said: “If we get promoted it would be a toss-up between whether to go back to get experience with Chelsea, playing a bit part, or whether it will be playing week in and week out with Middlesbrough. Put it that way, it seems an easy decision ... but it’s not my decision really. It’s about getting to the end of the season and seeing where everyone is.”

Bamford has certainly not given up on shining for Mourinho at Chelsea, though. He said: “I hope so. I’ve played against three Premier League teams now – Sunderland, Liverpool and now Man City – and I have scored against all of them. I think it has shown that I can cut it at the top level but we’ll see what happens.”

To score his tenth of the season for Middlesbrough against Chelsea’s Premier League title rivals in the FA Cup will certainly have registered in the office of Mourinho.

Bamford was rewarded for chasing down a loose ball heading for the line when Fernando’s attempted clearance hit him before finding the net seven minutes after half-time. There were a number of further chances before he laid on the stoppage-time second for Kike to seal a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

That sparked wild scenes of celebration with Middlesbrough’s fans and whatever happens in the future Bamford will never forget Saturday’s events at the Etihad.

“I can’t really put it into words the feeling when I scored the first and especially when we scored the second, even though it wasn’t me that scored it, just the relief. It was a good,” he said.

“To win against the champions of England has to be the best result of my career so far and one that all the lads will enjoy. It’s particularly pleasing being a Chelsea player – so hopefully Chelsea will hear about that.

“It’s nice and we can enjoy this. Our heads have to be back on Brentford on Monday, but I would like to play at the Emirates in the next round. That would be a nice draw. You want to play big teams in this competition, that’s what it is about. Spurs went out today too. I would be happy with Arsenal – and I’m sure we could get a result there too.”

* Spaniard Daniel Ayala will miss the trip to Brentford after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.