LOUIS van Gaal has accused Middlesbrough of trying to solve their right back problems on the cheap.

Boro - along with Newcastle United - have been tracking AZ Alkmaar right back Greitar Steinsson this summer.

Gareth Southgate opted for Charlton's Luke Young to fill the role, but van Gaal, whose side takes on Boro at the Riverside tomorrow, believes Steinsson is worth far more than what Boro offered.

"Middlesbrough are interested in the player, but the offer is nothing,'' he said. "There must not be a lot of interest in him because they have offered one million euros or one and a half million. I think it is a tip for the player.''

He explained: "A tip is when you give a waiter a tip for doing a job, it is not much, but something.''

Van Gaal saw his side draw 1-1 with Hartlepool on Wednesday night and was full of praise for Danny Wilson's side.

"I think it was a hard game for us,'' said the former Ajax, Barcelona and Dutch national coach. "Hartlepool play a European type of football and as a pre-season friendly it was very good.

"Hartlepool are a good team with some high quality footballers. I believe they have a chance of success next season.

"Last year we played Bolton Wanderers in pre-season and I liked this game much, much more. It was more difficult.

"The pitch is very good for passing the ball and we like to play that way. I think that is why Hartlepool play that style.''

And he admitted: "It was a surprise (they way they played) because I saw the England team at the under 21 championships and they did not play as much football as Hartlepool.

"It was a very attractive game for the public. I am not saying this to be generous, but I don't know if Middlesbrough will be much better than Hartlepool.''

Van Gaal is ready to field a stronger side, featuring some of his players who took part in the under-21 European Championships this summer.

"I am expecting a few more of my players to play against Middlesbrough - those who have been playing in the summer," he said.

"We have signed Graziano Pelle, but he is unlikely to play on Saturday. He has not trained with the group much.''

Meanwhile, Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer expects to see out the remainder of his contract at the Riverside.

He has turned down the offer of an extension has been linked with a number of clubs.

''Not a great deal is happening," he said.

''As far as I'm concerned I've still got one year left to go and Middlesbrough don't want to let me go and I'll be staying until the end of my contract (next summer) at least."

Michael Mackay scored on his return to Consett as a Pools side won 4-0 last night. Other scorers were Michael Maidens, Lee Bullock and Tom Haigh.

Former Aberdeen striker Andrew Bagshaw, who had a trial with Pools this summer and also Darlington last season, has played two games this week for Scottish side Peterhead.