Manchester United – Blackburn Rovers

1. Hello all and welcome to live coverage of Manchester United v Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford. 15 minutes to go until kick-off but we've got some team news in.

2. Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Brown, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Anderson, Nani, Berbatov, Rooney

3. Subs: Kuszczak, Owen, Scholes, Fabio Da Silva, Fletcher, Obertan,

4. Blackburn: Robinson, Chimbonda, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Nzonzi, Emerton, Dunn, Andrews, Diouf, Di Santo

5. Subs: Brown, McCarthy, Grella, Pedersen, Kalinic, Hoilett, Salgado.

6. So Blackburn coming into this one on the back of a 5-0 thumping against Chelsea last week, though they did beat Peterborough 5-2 in the Carling Cup in midweek.

7. Also good news for swine-flu hit Rovers is that Christopher Samba and David Dunn return to first-team action after missing the Chelsea game.

8. United have Vidic and Ferdinand both out injured but Brown and Evans are proven replacements. Ferguson's men will be desperate to atone for the 2-0 loss a Liverpool last Sunday and close the gap on Chelsea at the top to two points.

9. A much-changed United line-up beat Barnsley 2-0 in midweek but even after scoring the second there's still no place for Michael Owen.

10. The sides have met on 106 previous occasions. Man Utd have won 48 to Blackburn's 31.

11. United have taken 16 of a possible 18 points from their last six meetings with Blackburn in the league, conceding only three goals in the process.

12. The players are on the pitch and we're just about ready to go.

13. 1'

    Emerton and Dunn in the centre and we're off...

14. 1'

    Carrick with a hopeful diagonal ball towards Rooney but Chimbonda intercepts.

15. 1'

    Van der Sar with a goalkick, the Dutchman is United captain for the day.

16. 2'

    Brown concedes the free-kick and it's Dunn to deliver into the box.

17. 2'

    Evans is down in the box after a clash of heads with Samba and it's a Blackburn corner.

18. 2'

    The ball pings around in the box but Evans scoops it away.

19. 3'

    Givet late on Valencia and it's a free-kick for United.

20. 4'

    Nani down the left-wing and he cuts inside onto his right before shooting from distance. His shot is dragged wide.

21. 4'

    Dunn runs through the centre but he's sandwiched out by Evans and Anderson. He goes down but he's not looking for a penalty and dusts himself down before climbing to his feet.

22. 5'

    United deep in Blackburn territory and Ferguson's side look happy to just keep possession.

23. 6'

    Anderson gives it away but chases after his own pass, he's got great pace the Brazilian.

24. 7'

    Berbatov gets a first touch and he draws the foul from Nzonzi.

25. 7'

    Nani to deliver. But it's straight into the hands of Robinson.

26. 8'

    Samba beats Rooney in the air but also catches team-mate Nzonzi in the jaw. Ouch.

27. 9'

    Berbatov given room to turn and Evra looks for Valencia at the back post. he pulls it back but the angle is to tight and Robinson collects.

28. 10'

    Nani advances and looks for Rooney but leaves the pass short.

29. 10'

    The Portugese winger has still got a lot to prove.

30. 11'

    Van der Sar knocks it long and it's a solid header out from Givet.

31. 12'

    Berbatov with a beautiful ball with the outside of his right foot from the right-wing. It finds its way to Valencia in the box but the Ecuadorian misfires.

32. 12'

    Quite a slow start from both sides. United not really stamping their authority on the game as yet.

33. 13'

    Anderson finds Nani down the left and he forces his way past Emerton and Chimbonda, winning the free-kick.

34. 14'

    Nani to take. But it's a poor delivery.

35. 15'

    Valencia and Rooney combine well and the former finds his way to the edge of the Blackburn area before giving the ball away.

36. 16'

    Rooney has barely touched the ball as yet.

37. 16'

    Anderson fouls Dunn and it's a Blackburn free-kick.

38. 17'

    Robinson's free-kick and Samba is un-challenged.

39. 17'

    It's a free header and he directs it across goal but there's no-one on the end of it.

40. 18'

    Patient build-up by United.

41. 18'

    Spoke to soon. Anderson tries to thread it through to Nani but it's over-hit.

42. 19'

    Berbatov wrestled to the ground by Samba but Emrerton intercepts as the free-kick is taken quickly.

43. 20'

    Evra tries to feed Nani but Chimbonda uses his strength and wins a throw-in.

44. 20'

45. 21'

    Great tackle from O'Shea. The Irishman and Brown hesitated and it looked like Diouf might sneak in but O'Shea recovered to slide in a well-timed challenge.

46. 22'

    Berbatov walking a little gingerly. There may be a problem for the Bulgarian.

47. 23'

    Nani fouled by Nelsen and he wins the free-kick about 35 yards out on the right hand side.

48. 23'

    Anderson to take.

49. 24'

    Punched out by Robinson and as Nani collects he's pushed in the back by Chimbonda and wins another free-kick. This time on the left hand side.

50. 24'

    Nani and Rooney in discussion.

51. 24'

    It's moved to Valencia who strikes from distance but Diuof blocks it and it's a United corner.

52. 25'

    Nani plays it to the near post and Rooney tries an audacious backheel which slides wide.

53. 26'

    Brown wins a free-kick from Di Santo. Rovers missed the young Chelsea loan-player for the visit to his parent club last week.

54. 26'

    United take a quick free-kick and Nani advances down the left. Chimbonda does enough and makes the tackle.

55. 27'

    United pressing hard at Blackburn. And again the build-up is patient.

56. 28'

    Good interplay between Rooney and Anderson and United are pushing for the opener.

57. 29'

    Valencia crosses and Berbatov meets it. His header was well saved by Robinson.

58. 29'

    Seconds early Givet had made a solid challenge on Berbatov. Last-ditch stuff.

59. 30'

    Nothing comes from the corner but it's wave after wave of United as the noise levels lift at Old Trafford .

60. 31'

    Nani shoots again from distance and it's deflected out by Samba.

61. 31'

    Apparently not, goal-kick given.

62. 32'

    Blackburn bring it forward for the first time in a while and I think Rovers are playing a little bit too deep. Even for an away team at Old Trafford.

63. 33'

    Blackburn win a cornr after it's negligently conceded by O'Shea. Dunn takes it and Nelsen heads wide.

64. 34'

    Rooney lays it off to Berbatov who strikes from 20 yards. Well parried away by Robinson for a corner.

65. 34'

    Another poor delivery and Rovers clear their lines.

66. 34'

    Robinson launches a free-kick long again and United look a little unsure dealing with those long balls.

67. 35'

    Free-kick for united as Nani faouled by Emerton. The Blackburn winger goes in the book for kicking the ball away. Though he did manage to score form about 40 yards out. Shame the ref had blown!

68. 36'

    Chimbonda yellow carded for a foul on Nani. 30 yards out and United have a good opportunity.

69. 37'

    Rooney stands over the ball. And puts it over into the stands.

70. 38'

    Nani is drawing fouls left, right and centre.

71. 39'

    Goal...or not. Rooney adjudged to be offside as Nani plays the through ball. Rooney had crossed to Berbatov who tapped in but the assistant's flag wa sup.

72. 39'

    Blackburn looked stretched then but are still sitting extremely deep.

73. 40'

    Rovers only have one win at Old Trafford in the last 47 years.

74. 41'

    Samba boots it long as Carrick attempts to thread it through.

75. 42'

    Evra sent tumbling in the box but he would have been extremely lucky to get a penalty out of that.

76. 42'

    Nani gives it away cheaply but the red wave comes back. The ball breaks to Rooney but he can't get a shot in. He does win a corner though.

77. 43'

    Nani has a free header but it's spooned away. Closer to a throw-in than anything else.

78. 44'

    Rooney plays in Berbatov with a stunning back-heeled through-ball but the Bulgarian lashed it wide and over. Disappointing.

79. 44'

    Two minutes of stoppage time to be played.

80. 45'

    David Dunn driving through and this is the most promising Blackburn have looked for 20 minutes. But he's lost the numbers game and he's crowded out by three red shirts.

81. 45'

    HALF-TIME. United 0-0 Blackburn. Poor poor performance from Blackburn. parking the bus is an understatement. Wave after wave of red attacks have come but United couldn't make the breakthrough. A header and a wild effort from Berbatov were the best chances of the half.

82. 46'

    And we're off for the second period. No changes as yet from Ferguson or Allardyce.

83. 46'

    Welcome back for the second half. Fingers crossed for some goals in the second period. Blackburn seriously need to step up their game although there's no doubting they would be delighted to leave Old Trafford with a draw.

84. 46'

    Anderson switches it towards Nani on the left and Chimbonda heads it out for a throw.

85. 46'

    Nani crosses it in but Berbatov penalised for climbing over Nelsen.

86. 47'

    Evra breaking at pace. he comes inside to first Anderson then Carrick, who spreads it O'Shea.

87. 47'

    Valencia shoved to the ground but it was good strength from Dunn and no fre-kick for the winger.

88. 47'

    Rooney tries a speculative effort but it's blocked away and Diouf has the ball.

89. 48'

    He gives it away but wins it back again from Berbatov before, you guessed it, giving it away again.

90. 48'

    United have shipped 11 goals in their 10 league games so far, equalling their third-worst defensive performance ever at this stage of a Premier League season.

91. 49'

    United start from the back and Anderson storming forward. He gives it to Berbatov who gestures for some movement from his team-mates.

92. 50'

    Evra crosses but it's into the grateful gloves of Robinson.

93. 51'

    Blackburn looking to break now with Diuof.

94. 51'

    Andrews and Diouf combine before passing to Givet down the right but Valencia picks his pocket. The winger drives forward but it's a poor final ball.

95. 52'

    United keeping possession again as cries of 'attack attack' echo around Old Trafford.

96. 52'

    Anderson picks out Evra just inside the area but the ball rebounds off his foor, onto his head and into the hands of Robinson. Could have probably done with that being Rooney.

97. 53'

    Di Santo breaks but he's gone down clutching his face. The ref waves play on and Valencia breaks for United.

98. 54'

    GOAL! Berbatov.

99. 54'

    United 1-0 Blackburn. Evra fires the ball across the box and the Bulgarian takes one touch and acrobatically volleys it into the bottom left corner. No more than United deserve.

100. 55'

     Before this game, Blackburn had conceded a goal with every 37.3% of shots that they have faced, a Premier League high.

101. 56'

     Anderson drags a shot wide from 25 yards.

102. 57'

     BLACKBURN SUB: Pedersen for Andrews

103. 58'

     Maybe that switch will inspire even a glimmer of creativity from Rovers.

104. 59'

     Obertan warming-up on the sidelines.

105. 59'

     United's two wingers have been pretty average so this could be a good chance for the young Fenchman.

106. 61'

     Valencia looks to lob it over the top for Berbatov but it's long.

107. 61'

     Anderson down the left now but his cross is all the way through to Diouf. Dunn drives through the centre and is taken out by Nani.

108. 62'

     UNITED SUB: Obertan for Nani.

109. 63'

     First league appearance for the French winger.

110. 63'

     Obertan with a chance to break which he does at pace but the ball escapes away from him.

111. 64'

     Valencia now down the right and O'Shea and Anderson link-up well.

112. 64'

     The Brazilian gives the ball away and then gives away a free-kick to boot. Rooney gives him a telling off.

113. 65'

     Obertan through here, Anderson plays him in and he's away at pace. What can he do?

114. 65'

     He cuts back inside but it's a tame shot. Disappointing.

115. 66'

     Rooney's been off the boil today. Plenty of loose passes.

116. 67'

     I wish I could comment more on Blackburn but they are just not doing anything worth writing about!

117. 68'

     Valencia pulls it back to Rooney but he scuffs his shot.

118. 68'

     Another effort from Rooney. This time it's sliced wide.

119. 69'

     Rooney turns away from Samba and accelerates forward. He tries to play in Berbatov but yet again it's a poorly placed pass by Rooney.

120. 69'

     What's going on with Rooney today?

121. 70'

     Givet and Dunn move the ball around nicely. And Blackburn stringing some passes together!

122. 71'

     Good spell of possession for Rovers but it comes to nothing.

123. 72'

     Rubber legs Obertan tiptoeing through and winning a corner.

124. 73'

     Rooney takes it and Emerton gets a crucial touch to divert it away from Berbatov.

125. 74'

     Anderson takes this time and it's headed out by Pedersen. Another corner.

126. 74'

     Poor delivery again and Blackburn can momentarily relax.

127. 75'

     BLACKBURN SUB: Kalininc for Di Santo

128. 76'

     Evra releases Obertan down the left but he can't put a decent cross in. A few loose touches from the Frenchman. He's looked a little nervy.

129. 77'

     UNITED SUB: Owen for Berbatov.

130. 78'

     Owen scored a great goal against Barnsley in midweek. How he would love another tonight.

131. 79'

     Long ball into the box but Pedersen is offside.

132. 79'

     Kalinic flicks the ball on but Van der Sar is out quickly. A rare touch of the ball for the Dutchman.

133. 80'

     Ball comes across the box from Valencia. It drops to Owen and he's just about to hit it with his left foot when Obertan steals in and spoons it wide from eight yards.

134. 81'

     Terrible miss there. Dragged wide when it should have been finished easily.

135. 82'

     Obertan concedes the free-kick. Going to be whipped in from the right wing.

136. 82'

     BLACKBURN SUB: McCarthy for Dunn.

137. 83'

     Poor delivery from Pedersen.

138. 84'

     Valencia advances in a dangerous position but he scoops the ball up in the air. He was trying a fancy pass but he's failed miserably there.

139. 84'

     Evra concedes the free-kick after taking down Pedersen.

140. 85'

     Emerton places the ball and there's plenty of Blackburn players forward.

141. 85'

     Rovers penalised and the opportunity is wasted.

142. 85'

     GOAL! Rooney.

143. 85'

     United 2-0 Blackburn. Anderson crosses from the left and it's a deft flick from Rooney's left peg to steer it into the right-hand corner. Great finish.

144. 86'

     After such a poor game Rooney still manages to produce the goods. It takes just one moment for the striker.

145. 88'

     Obertan drives to the by-line again but it's another under-hit delivery. Nani mark 2?

146. 89'

     Rovers facing a ninth consecutive away defeat in the Premier League.

147. 90'

     Great save by Van der Sar but Kalinic knocks in the rebound.

148. 91'

     But it's ruled out for offside. Replays show that was a bad decision as Evra was playing him on. Great initial stop from van der Sar to parry away McCarthy's shot.

149. 92'

     Evra offside and this one's about to be all over.

150. 93'

     Great chance from Owen. Swift move. Rooney to Obertan to Valencia and then Owen drags a good chance wide.

151. 93'

     FULL-TIME. United 2-0 Blackburn. Not much to say. It was a dire performance from Rovers and a comfortable victory for the Reds. Two fantastic finishes from berbatov and Owen and United up to second in the Premier League. See you all next time.

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