Akpom's exit: Michael Carrick looking to emulate Man Utd's approach in replacing Ronaldo

Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick has revealed that he is not looking to replace his former star forward, Chuba Akpom by signing a player before the end of the transfer window.

The English tactician wants to emulate Alex Ferguson's approach in replacing Cristiano Ronaldo when he left for Real Madrid in 2009 to fill the void left by the Super Eagle hopeful.

Akpom was Boro's top scorer last season in the Championship with 28 goals in 38 games, thereby becoming the first player to notch more than 20 goals since the 1989/1990 season for the club.

Unsurprisingly, the 27-year-old would go on to win the club's Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year awards.

 Akpom's departure to Ajax has left a big hole in the Middlesbrough squad.

Carrick has suggested that he wants to borrow a leaf from Manchester United's approach in replacing Ronaldo after his first stint at the club.

In quotes relayed by TeessideLive, the 42-year-old manager said: "Looking back at when we lost Cristiano Ronaldo and all those goals. It wasn't necessarily about bringing in someone who could score the same amount of goals as him. It was not about finding another player who could score 30 or 40 but making sure more players chipped in, sharing them out a bit more.

"History proves that is what every team has to do at some stage. And that is my challenge right now, Bringing the best out of what's next and making the most of what we have now and we'll certainly try to do that."

Middlesbrough has not had the best start to the campaign as they have failed to record a win in their three Championship games so far.

They could turn their fortunes around when they face West Brom at the Hawthorns later today.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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