Blackburn Rovers vs. Manchester United: Preview

Ewood Park will tonight see a game that could prove crucial at either end of the Premier League table.

Blackburn Rovers sit one place outside the relegation zone, currently level on points and goal difference with Queens Park Rangers. Meanwhile Manchester United can stretch their lead at the summit to five points.

Rovers plight was helped by an unlikely 3-2 victory at Old Trafford late last year, a result that seemed to stir some kind of belief in Steve Kean’s players.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side however, have conspired to take advantage of Manchester City's slump to overturn them at the top of Premiership.

Blackburn

Weekend results have once again put a bit of pressure on this team with Queens Park Rangers and Wigan, perhaps surprisingly, sealing victories.

Bolton also picked up three points at a seemingly doomed Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Kean has fielded the same eleven for the last three games, and one man who is key in the quest for survival is Yakubu.

The Nigerian has 14 Premier League goals so far this term and is looking to add to the two he notched up against United last time by hitting a hat-trick this time round. He said:

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"Scoring against United is always special, they're one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"To score two that day at Old Trafford was a great feeling. You always want to be at your best when you play the biggest clubs.

"But I always think I can score, no matter which club I am playing against.

"Whenever I get the ball I believe I can score.

"After I get my first goal I always feel I can go on and get a second. That's what happened at Old Trafford. Maybe I can do it again, to go one better and get a hat-trick against United. “That would be great for me."

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United

Manchester United are ominously hitting at precisely the right time, losing just one of their last 16 games and winning 14.

Wayne Rooney has also found that scoring touch, firing 17 in 17 and being given a 40-goal target by his manager who has said:

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“Wayne is doing well. His scoring form is something like 17 goals in 17 games and I hope he gets to 40.

“There are eight games left and he can average at least a goal a game, you would take that and reasonably expect that. And he might get two goals in one match.

“The only way he could be Footballer of the Year is to keep scoring right to the end of the season. Yet Van Persie has had an exceptional season with his goals, he is a great player.

“But for us in the closing weeks of the season, Wayne can make the difference.”

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Another man earning his boss's praise is David De Gea, who was dropped earlier this season for two gaffes against tonight's opposition.

However three consecutive league clean sheets have given the Spaniard much needed confidence, as his side look to improve their record at Ewood Park.

Rooney has spoken of the desire of the incentive within the camp to secure a 20th title and that it will mean a little more to beat their nearest rivals to the honour.

A win tonight put them well on the road to achieving that feat.