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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CM: Ryan Giggs

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

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

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

SC: Javier Hernandez

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.