Manchester United 2-1 Blackburn Rovers - Report

Manchester United keep piling the pressure on Arsenal and Chelsea and temporarily go top of the Premiership after their professional 2-1 win over hapless Blackburn Rovers.

Ruud van Nistelrooy opened the scoring after 24 minutes from a powerful strike and Kleberson opened his account with a left footed punt 14 minutes later. Blackburn managed to get themselves back into the game just after the hour mark via Brett Emerton and made United nervy. 

Diego Forlan and Ryan Giggs were dropped to the bench due to international call-ups and Darren Fletcher, who also featured on the international scene, had to watch the game from the stands. Kleberson made his first start for United in 3 months, David Bellion made his first premiership start and Ronaldo had to settle for a place on the bench.

Ex- United striker Dwight Yorke started for Rovers but other former United star Andy Cole was suspended.

No team had a real chance until Ruud van Nistelrooy linked up well with Quinton Fortune and it was the Dutchman who beat the offiside trap to blast the ball past a helpless Brad Friedel. 1-0 United after 24 minutes.

Brazilian Kleberson doubled United's league 14 minutes later after van Nisteltooy and Fortune linked up well again to set up the World Cup winner to put the ball in the back of the net. 2-0 United.

Dwight Yorke had a few good chances to put Blackburn back into the game but his control let him down. And a series Barry Ferguson free-kicks were no match for Howard.

United had won the game before half time.

                 Half-time- Manchester United 2 - Blackburn Rovers 0

Graeme Souness introduced Nils-Eric Johansson and Paul Gallagher at half-time and the double substitution worked to some extent.

The substitute Gallagher set up Auzzi Brett Emerton to coolly place the ball past Tim Howard in the United goals and rekindled Rovers' hopes. 2-1 United after 62 minutes.

Dwight Yorke had a simple tap-in disallowed because the striker was offside and at this point, United were riding their luck.

Defender Rio Ferdinand could have ended the game there and then when he was presented the ball at the near post, but the English international couldn't compose himself and blasted the ball over the bar. 

United then introduced Ryan Giggs, Diego Forlan and Cristiano Ronaldo towards the end of the game and United held and prevailed to take all 3 points.

                 Full time- Manchester United 2 - Blackburn Rovers 1

Blackburn Rovers: Friedel, Todd, Short, Babbel, Gresko, Emerton, Ferguson, Flitcroft, Reid, Jansen, Yorke. Subs: Enckelman, Baggio, Martin Taylor, Johansson, Gallagher.

United will miss him in January when he goes and plays for South Africa in the African Cup Of Nations.

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