Manchester United vs Blackburn Rovers: Picking the Reds' Starting 11

By (Senior Writer) on December 30, 2011

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Manchester United will welcome Blackburn Rovers to Old Trafford on the back of two 5-0 victories that have lifted them to level on points with early league pace-setters Manchester City.

Heading into this fixture against the bottom side in the league, United will be strong favorites to extend their mini winning-streak. Here are my predictions for United's starting 11 against Blackburn Rovers

GK: Anders Lindegaard

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Clive Rose/Getty Images

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has made it an aim that there'll be no figuring out his goalkeeping selection policy this season.

As such, I'll go for Danish international Anders Lindegaard in goal against Blackburn. Speaking to journalists about the goalkeeping situation, Sir Alex made it clear that the reason for picking Lindergaard over David de Gea was that Lindegaard had the greater experience.

Sir Alex said:

I think Anders has that little bit more experience. I felt his was the right time to change and we’re going to do that with David. He’s only 20 years of age and is going to be a fantastic goalkeeper, there’s absolutely no doubt about that.

Having Anders as a back-up in terms of giving the lad a break at the right time, is proving its worth. Anders is an outstanding goalkeeper and has a little bit more experience.

LB: Patrice Evra

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Alex Livesey/Getty Images

United's current skipper has rarely missed Premier League games during his time at Old Trafford, and that won't be changing any time soon.

RB: Rafael Da Silva

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Clive Mason/Getty Images

There hasn't been much news on how far Rafael recovery from injury has progressed, but he has played a few reserve games for United and may stake a claim for a place in the starting 11 against Rovers.

If Rafael isn't picked, I'd expect Antonio Valencia to deputize in that position like he did against Wigan Athletic.

CB: Rio Ferdinand

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Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Rio Ferdinand did not feature for United in their last two games against Fulham and Wigan, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson is hopeful that the former England captain will be fit for Saturday's game against Blackburn.

CB: Phil Jones

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Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

With an injury that sidelined him in United's Old Trafford fixture against Wigan Athletic, Phil Jones looks set to return to partner Rio Ferdinand in a Manchester United defense devoid of the services of Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans due to injury.

LM: Park Ji Sung

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Alex Livesey/Getty Images

As South Korean Park Ji Sung showed last week, there is a whole lot more left in his tank. The hard-working midfielder never ceases to amaze us with his astonishing work rate, and he looks set to start for United against Blackburn.

RM: Nani

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26:  James McCarthy of Wigan Athletic competes with Nani of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Wigan Athletic at Old Trafford on December 26, 2011 in Manchester, England.
Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Barring injury, Nani should start for United. I don't need to say any more, do I?

CM: Ryan Giggs

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Alex Livesey/Getty Images

The forever youthful Ryan Giggs put in a shift for United in their last two games with some outstanding performances in midfield.

At a certain point, one runs out of superlatives to describe the Welshman. Giggs should start for United tomorrow.

CM: Michael Carrick

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Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Not everyone's favorite Manchester United player, but Carrick has stepped up to the plate in the absence of Anderson and Tom Cleverley.

Deputizing in defense for United's last game against Wigan, this match should spell a return to more familiar territory.

SC: Wayne Rooney

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Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Rested for United's last game due to the hectic Christmas schedule, Wayne Rooney should return to the fray against Blackburn.

SC: Javier Hernandez

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Alex Livesey/Getty Images

What better than a slippery goal-poacher against the likes of Christopher Samba in the Blackburn Rovers defence.

Javier Hernandez to start for United ahead of Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Welbeck.

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