GEORGE Boateng has issued a 'write us off at your peril' warning to anyone who believes Middlesbrough's FA Cup run will come to an end at Manchester United next week.

Boro were denied a place in the semi-finals when Cristiano Ronaldo levelled the sixth-round tie at the Riverside, 11 minutes after Boateng put Boro ahead.

The bullish Boro skipper accepts his team will approach Monday's replay as underdogs, but points out the Teessiders have overcome the odds on several occasions in the recent past.

"It can be done at Old Trafford," said the 31-year-old. "It will take a lot of courage and a lot of mileage but we have to believe.

"People wrote us off before the game but this is a cup competition. They will feel confident because they are now at home, but in Europe over the last two years we learned a lot of hard lessons.

"We went to Steaua Bucharest, where it was frightening.

"United will be intimidating, but the team that wants it most will win."

The form of Julia Arca could prove vital to Boro's progress to the next stage.

"He has been a revelation since switching to centre midfield and was inspirational in the 2-2 draw with the Red Devils.

Boateng added: "Arca was awesome (against Manchester United). He is getting better every year.

"Julio has been our most creative player this season.

"He has amazing vision. It is a surprise what he has done. Not that he doesn't have great talent, but even the Manchester United players were surprised how well he played."

Aiyegbeni Yakubu has been called up for Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on March 24.