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Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka claims he does not need to listen to his detractors despite slump into relegation trouble: 'I am the first critic'

Aitor Karanka says he does not need to listen to his detractors as he attempts to hang on to his job at Middlesbrough, because he is his own biggest critic.

The 43-year-old leads Boro into FA Cup quarter-final battle with Manchester City on Saturday having seen them slip into the Premier League's bottom three last weekend following a run of 10 games without a victory.

Defeat at Stoke City last time out sparked speculation that he would be given his P45 with just 11 matches of Boro's first season back in the top flight remaining, and with some supporters having run out of patience, there is no lack of self-awareness on his part.