Manchester United against Blackburn Rovers

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.

GOAL! Rooney.

Rovers penalised and the opportunity is wasted.

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

Evra concedes the free-kick after taking down Pedersen.

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.

Poor delivery from Pedersen.

BLACKBURN SUB: McCarthy for Dunn.

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

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

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.

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

Long ball into the box but Pedersen is offside.

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

UNITED SUB: Owen for Berbatov.

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.

BLACKBURN SUB: Kalininc for Di Santo

Poor delivery again and Blackburn can momentarily relax.

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

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

Rubber legs Obertan tiptoeing through and winning a corner.

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

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

What's going on with Rooney today?

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First league appearance for the French winger.

UNITED SUB: Obertan for Nani.

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.

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

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

Obertan warming-up on the sidelines.

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

BLACKBURN SUB: Pedersen for Andrews

Anderson drags a shot wide from 25 yards.

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

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.

GOAL! Berbatov.

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

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.

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

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.

Blackburn looking to break now with Diuof.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Two minutes of stoppage time to be played.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Blackburn looked stretched then but are still sitting extremely deep.

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.

Nani is drawing fouls left, right and centre.

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

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

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!

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

Another poor delivery and Rovers clear their lines.

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

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

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.

Apparently not, goal-kick given.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nani and Rooney in discussion.

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.

Anderson to take.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Patient build-up by United.

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

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

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

Rooney has barely touched the ball as yet.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

The Portugese winger has still got a lot to prove.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

BLACKBURN SUB: Kalininc for Di Santo

Poor delivery again and Blackburn can momentarily relax.

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

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

Rubber legs Obertan tiptoeing through and winning a corner.

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

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

What's going on with Rooney today?

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First league appearance for the French winger.

UNITED SUB: Obertan for Nani.

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.

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

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

Obertan warming-up on the sidelines.

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

BLACKBURN SUB: Pedersen for Andrews

Anderson drags a shot wide from 25 yards.

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

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.

GOAL! Berbatov.

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

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.

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

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.

Blackburn looking to break now with Diuof.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Two minutes of stoppage time to be played.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Blackburn looked stretched then but are still sitting extremely deep.

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.

Nani is drawing fouls left, right and centre.

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

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

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!

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

Another poor delivery and Rovers clear their lines.

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

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

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.

Apparently not, goal-kick given.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nani and Rooney in discussion.

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.

Anderson to take.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Patient build-up by United.

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

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

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

Rooney has barely touched the ball as yet.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

The Portugese winger has still got a lot to prove.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.