NEIL Warnock claims Middlesbrough pulled off a "miracle" by getting more than £12m for Chuba Akpom, and again praised Michael Carrick for his role in getting the best out of the former Arsenal forward last season.

Warnock was in charge at the Riverside when Boro signed Akpom in 2020, but the experienced boss struggled to get the best out of the frontman, and sanctioned the deal that took the forward back to his former club PAOK on loan.

Akpom returned to Boro after that loan spell expecting to leave but was given a surprise chance by Chris Wilder and then enjoyed a quite remarkable transformation after Carrick's appointment, scoring 29 goals last term to scoop the Championship Golden Boot and Player of the Year awards.

It was Carrick's masterstroke in shifting Akpom into the No.10 position that worked wonders, and Warnock admits that was something he never considered during his time in charge.

Warnock couldn't resist having a little dig at his former attacker, though, and said Ajax need to follow Carrick's lead and play Akpom as a No.10 if they want their summer signing to be a success in Holland.

"To get £12.2m for Chuba is a bloody miracle, well done to Michael," said Warnock after watching his Huddersfield side draw 1-1 at the Riverside on Saturday.

"I think the people at the top will be happy to get that sort of money in.

"You can see they've signed two players this week for decent money. Michael is a good bloke, there's only Michael who'd have got that out of Chuba Akpom. I never thought about playing him in the hole and he can't play up-front, so I hope Ajax haven't bought him to play up-front or he'll be back in England or somewhere else next year."

Warnock said he has "enough problems to worry about with Huddersfield" to concern himself with how he expects Boro to fare this year, but said: "Good luck to Michael, I like him and I think he's done a good job."

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Saturday's game was the third time he's faced Boro since he was sacked a couple of years ago but the first time he's been back at the Riverside and he said his return brought fond memories flooding back.

"It's lovely up here and being back brought back memories of me going out on my bike," he laughed.

"I enjoyed that time. I really felt I played my time during covid. It was a difficult period and difficult for me as well. I had two blood clots in my legs and if it hadn't have been for James Cook and my consultant, he was fantastic.

"I managed to raise some funds for them while I was here. It's just a brilliant place. To see people like Jonny Howson, I didn't see Paddy today, but those two are among the best pros I've ever worked with. It was nice to catch up."

The Huddersfield boss had mixed emotions after the 1-1 draw.

He said: "There’s disappointment but at the end it's relief when they had a couple of great chances.

"We haven't got the facilities to bring in the top players so we just have to get on with what we've got and not moan. I'm going to enjoy it. The lads did me proud today. If we carry on like that, we'll get some points this year. We can go anywhere and give them a game."