Forever United

Venue: Old Trafford

Time: 17:30 (GMT)

Manchester United taking on Blackburn Rovers looking to extend their unbeaten run to 15 games since their defeat to Arsenal back in November. It was also the last time United conceded a goal in the premier league.

Blackburn on the other hand had an uphill task to stay in the league as they are stuggling in the bottom 3. But the good thing is they have played generally well and yet went on to loose. It will be nearly impossible for them to even get a point from OT.

Sqauds:

Manchester United:
Starting XI: Tomasz Kuszczak, Jonny Evans( Nemanja Vidic 64'), Patrice Evra, Rafael da Silva, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Nani(Carlos Tevez 64'), Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes(Ryan Giggs 82'), Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney

Subs not Used: Ben Foster, Danny Welbeck, Darren Fletcher, Fabio da Silva

Blackburn Rovers:
Starting XI: Paul Robinson, Andre Ooijer, Ryan Nelsen, Stephen Warnock, Gael Givet, David Dunn(Tugay 73'), Vincenzo Grella(Benny McCarthy 79'), Morten Gamst Pedersen, Keith Andrews, El-Hadji Diouf(Keith Treacy 83'), Roque Santa Cruz

Subs not Used: Jason Brown, Aaron Mokoena, Zurab Khizanishvili, Jason Roberts

It came as a real shock for me when i looked at the team sheet and saw there was no Van der Saar, maybe in the view of the upcoming Champions League match against Inter and the Carling cup final against Spurs, he was rested. Vidic on the bench meant that Johnny Evans would get a chance, i have been really impressed with his performance and it was only fair that he got fair amount of chances to grow as a player.

The first half was really very gripping to be honest with both the teams creating opportunities to score and scoring as well. It was not as many expected that Blackburn will be put under tremendous pressure and simply give in, no it was not. Blackburn fought very bravely and surged forwards. The first goal came as a result of a brilliant ball by Nani, which Nelson failed to clear in the box and Rooney grabbed the opportunity and scored giving United the lead in the 23rd minute.

But Manchester United's 14 match clean sheet record came to an end when both Nani and Paul Scholes waited for each other to collect a loose ball , allowing Andre Ooijer to step in and dart forward. Ooijer then slipped a pass to Santa Cruz. With Rio Ferdinand closing in on the South American, there was no need for Tomasz Kuszczak,to dart out. Both United players then committed themselves to a tackle, allowing Santa Cruz to calmly continue his run and tap into an empty net. It was a run that had to end at some point of course. Manchester United scored through Johnny Evans when he headed a Nani corner home but the goal was disallowed for a non-existing foul.

The second half started brilliantly for the visitors when they created a few chances and were really looking to get all 3 points. United had also made their intentions clear. It was all set for a brilliant half of football. Blackburn came close, very close to scoring and taking the lead around the hour mark when Nelson hit the woodwork and Diouf's shot was saved somehow by Kuzczak. But they will be very sorry they did not score as within minutes United scored...Keith Andrews brought down Evra close to the penalty box and Ronaldo hammered in a shot which Robinson could do nothing about.

Just after the goal Evans and Nani was substituted and in came Vidic and Carlos Tevez. The departure of Evans might have raised a few concerns before the Inter match as Vidic is suspended. Rooney, Berbatov and Ronaldo had chances to score towards the end of the game but failed to hit the target and the score read 2-1 to united at the end of the game which meant United have an 8 point lead over Liverpool who play Man City later tonight.