Manchester United: Predicting Sir Alex Ferguson's Starting XI Against Blackburn

A 6-1 trashing to Manchester City will only be a footnote if Manchester United can pip City to the Premier League title. 

Sir Alex Ferguson's men cannot afford to slip up against Blackburn Rovers like they did on New Year's Eve. 

Here is the starting XI Ferguson is likely to use against Rovers. 

Manchester United Team News

Player	Reason Out	Notes
Anderson	Torn hamstring	Has missed 185 days of football through injuries
Darren Fletcher	Ulcerative collitis	Season ending
Nani	Rolled ankle	May play against QPR (8/4/12)
Nemanja Vidić	Cruciate knee ligament	Season ending

• Since 2007, Anderson has broken his leg, done an anterior cruciate ligament, suffered three separate knee injuries and torn his hamstring. He has missed 185 days of football this season, and throughout his career, has missed 518 days of football (and counting). 

• Anders Lindegaard has been given a week's holiday to recuperate from his ankle injury.

• On loan forward Bébé played 17 minutes in Beşiktaş' 2-2 draw against İstanbul BB. 

Goalkeeper: David De Gea

David de Gea hasn’t had much to do in the last two games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham.

As long as he doesn’t make any mistakes, it will be no hay problema.

That being said, it would have been interesting to see if he would have saved a penalty against Fulham.

Remember, referee Michael Oliver bottled a clear-cut penalty for Martin Jol’s side after Michael Carrick had tripped Danny Murphy in the 89th minute.

Since 2011, de Gea has denied Pierre Webó, David Trezeguet, Yevhen Konoplyanka and Robin van Persie from 12 yards out. 

	Michel Vorm	Joe Hart	de Gea
Goals Conceded	34	22	23
Clean Sheets	12	13	8
Saves	120	85	83
Goals Against Average	1.17	0.73	1.10
Saves to Goals Conceded Average	3.53	3.86	3.61
Save Percentage	78%	79%	78%

Right-Back: Rafael

Rafael was excellent against Fulham.

Kerim Frei was rendered useless by Rafael. Although Phil Jones could start at right-back, it would be a devastating blow to Rafael's confidence. 

For me, Jones is a better right-back than Rafael. 

Rafael is statistically excellent, but keep in mind that he's only played seven Premier League games compared to Jones' 22 and Richards' 24. 

	Jones	Rafael	Micah Richards
Tackles per game	2.3	4.6	2.2
Interceptions per game	1.8	1.7	1.3
Crossing percentage	21%	35%	20%
Key passes per game	0.7	0.7	0.6

Centre-Back: Rio Ferdinand

Next season, I'd like to see a Nemanja Vidic-Chris Smalling partnership because Rio Ferdinand will not consistently produce world class performances. 

That being said, he has been a calm presence in the past two games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham.

His experience is needed in a must-win game against Blackburn Rovers. 

Centre-Back: Jonny Evans

I don't rate Jonny Evans as a top notch centre-back, but he has been immense this month. 

He has completed 98, 93 and 94 percent of his passes in his last three Premier League games. 

Importantly, he hasn't made any defensive errors and has blocked many shots. 

Left-Back: Patrice Evra

Patrice Evra has been a liability this season. 

He only completes 14 percent of his crosses, and his defending has been nonexistent against any decent winger. 

Just like Ashley Cole, Evra's reputation as one of the best left-backs in the world is no longer the case. 

Evra shouldn't have any difficulties dealing with Mauro Formica, but I wouldn't be surprised if he did. 

Right Winger: Antonio Valencia

Antonio Valencia is probably the purest winger in the world, but he still drifts in from time to time. 

He hugs the touchline, beats the full-back and whips in an accurate cross. 

Guess how many shots have been created from Valencia's passes? 45. 

With the exception of Jonás Gutiérrez, there is no wide player in the world who works as hard as Valencia. 

Centre Midfielder: Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick has been consistent throughout the season. 

He leads the team in tackles made, interceptions made, most completed passes and most accurate long balls. 

That being said, I'd like to see Manchester United sign a defensive midfielder, therefore opening up space for an attacking midfielder. 

Javi Martínez, who has been playing at centre-back (because he's that good), should be Sir Alex Ferguson's No. 1 priority. 

Centre Midfielder: Paul Scholes

When you can dictate possession and read the play as well as Paul Scholes, you don't need to be Gareth Bale-fit. 

Scholes could theoretically do a Paolo Maldini and play a few more seasons. 

Just throwing it out there, Paul Pogba should be given a chance sooner rather than later. 

When he has played, he has completed 95.3 percent of his passes and 100 percent of his long passes. 

He has also gotten stuck in and put in a few tackles. Mind you, it is a small sample size, but it does give you some indication of the talent the kid has. 

Left Winger: Ashley Young

Compared to Park Ji-Sung, Ashley Young looks like George Best. 

Young has been world class some nights and impotent other nights. 

Deep-Lying Forward: Wayne Rooney

My favourite aspect of  Wayne Rooney's game isn't his goals but his long range passing. It's majestic and proves how much of a technician he is. 

Rooney completes 79 percent of his long passes.

This season, Robin van Persie is easily the best forward in the Premier League.  

	Wayne Rooney	Robin van Persie	Sergio Agüero
Goals	28	33	24
Assists	9	11	9
Goals Scored/Created Per Game	1.05	1.10	0.80
Key Passes Per Game	1.6	2.4	1.7

Centre Forward: Chicharito

Chicharito or Danny Welbeck? 

Welbeck's athleticism gives him the edge but Chicharito is more efficient in front of goals. 

	Chicharito	Welbeck
Goals	12	10
Assists	3	5
Goals Scored/Created Per Game	0.47	0.45
Minutes per goal/assist	118.4	138.7

Who would you pick? 

Please read 10 Biggest Premier League Transfer Busts of the Last 5 Years. 

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, FOX Soccer and Transfer Markt.