Aitor Karanka could be sacked before the international break

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka could be dismissed from his position, should he fail to attain a positive result against Manchester United this weekend.

The Riverside outfit are winless in their last ten outings and find themselves moving deeper into the drop zone every other game.

Boro are the Premier League's lowest scorers with just 19 goals to date, and though they boost with the fifth-best defensive record, time is running out to save their top-flight status.

According to The Mirror, Karanka faces a tough test against Jose Mourinho for whom he acted as an assistant at former club Real Madrid.

The free-falling side had held a 1-0 in the reverse fixture only to see goals from United duo Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial complete a dramatic comeback in the dying stages.

Boro are currently three points adrift of safety, and Karanka will have to attain at least a draw against the mighty United, if he is to stay his position after the international break.