On Monday night, again in front of the Sky cameras, United look to open up a five point lead at the top of the league in their pursuit of league title number twenty. City dropped home points against Sunderland and whilst, begrudgingly, I must commend City for pulling the result back to salvage a draw even the most ardent City fan would acknowledge that they’ve opened the door and are practically ushering United through!
Mancini appears to be clutching at Blackburn shaped straws when he claims that United will ‘do a draw on Monday’ but he does have recent history on his side as United have won at Ewood Park just twice in their last eleven fixtures. Last year, however, they did secure the title there.
Ferguson has voiced some caution for the fixture stating that ‘the game at Blackburn has always been a difficult match.’ He, more than anyone else at the club, will realise that these are the kind of games that can cause a slip up just as the club’s fans are expecting to romp home. He continued to claim ‘we know how quickly football can turn around and bite you.’ For that reason, against a relegation threatened Blackburn, United will have to be at their very best at Ewood Park.
Team News
United will welcome Rio Ferdinand back but will still be without long term absentees Vidic, Owen, Fletcher, Anderson and Nani.
Phil Jones will be looking to play a part against his former club in the week that Ferguson has stated he’s definitely a future Man Utd captain. If Ferdinand doesn’t return to full fitness he could step in to partner Jonny Evans in the middle.
Scholes and Carrick should start in the middle with on fire Valencia out wide right and Welbeck operating on the left flank.
Rooney and Hernandez will look to continue their great run of form as a partnership and steer United towards an away win.
Blackburn, for their part, will be looking to name the same team for the fourth game in a row and appear to be only sweating over the fitness of Gael Givet. This consistency has seen them win two of their previous three fixtures.
Match Facts
Wayne Rooney has scored 17 in his last 17 away games.
United have lost just one of their last 16 away fixtures, winning 14 of them.
Rovers have lost just four of their last ten fixtures.
United are unbeaten in their past ten games.
Match Betting
Blackburn 15-2
Draw 15-4
United 4-11
With the odds so heavily stacked in United’s favour I’m sure they’ll perform well enough to bring home three points in a tight fixture that’ll see Blackburn try very hard to ensure their own fight against relegation isn’t shadowed by United’s chase for the title.