Blackburn vs. Manchester United: 6 Things We Learned

As the seconds ticked away at Ewood Park on Monday night, the traveling Manchester United fans filled the air with some choice words pointed directly at their presumptuous, noisy neighbors.

The city is ours.

Yes, well. Who said otherwise?

Certainly not Sir Alex Ferguson, who raised a clenched fist in acknowledgement of both the away fans and the away team—who were counting down the seconds to a 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers.

When the final whistle inevitably blew, it meant seven straight wins—and 10 of 11—for United, who now sit five points ahead of crosstown rival Manchester City atop the English Premier League table.

Technically, that means 21 points are still up for grabs, and, technically, that means Manchester City are very much still alive in the title race.

But we all know better than that.

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Mr. Difference Maker

Antonio Valencia might be Manchester United's most valuable player this season.

And that was true before the Ecuadorian scored the breakthrough goal Monday night.

Whenever Valencia is in the Manchester United lineup, commentators like to talk about how he gives the Red Devils another dimension, an attacking edge Manchester City often lack.

They're right. He does.

Call it width. Call it speed. Call it crossing and shooting and generally badassery.

Valencia is all of those things on the wing for Manchester United. When he has the ball, he's dangerous.

And when he's on the pitch, United are a better team.

Title Race? Pah

Raise your hand if you think United will win the title.

If your hand is down, your name is Samir Nasri, and you're going through what experts call denial.

Anyway, forget the title race. How about the relegation battle?

All of the relegation candidates—sans Wolves, who are done—have been playing shockingly decent football lately.

Lookie: QPR beat Arsenal. Bolton have won three straight games. Three straight!

Wigan have taken eight of the last 12 points available, and even Blackburn won two in a row somewhat recently.

Seriously. The real action is at the other end of the table.

Boring, Boring United

Yes, United won the match 2-0. No, they weren't terribly impressive.

Arsenal earned the nickname "Boring, Boring Arsenal" for beating everybody 1-0 back in the days before Johan Djourou featured prominently in their league campaign.

United haven't been that boring, but they haven't exactly lit the eyebrows of neutrals on fire, either.

As The Guardian wrote:

"

43 mins: Adam Hirst's half-time report: "Spread it right, cross it in, head it away. Repeat for 45 minutes."

"

None of that matters, of course. Winning is the only thing for Sir Alex Ferguson, and even ugly wins will be welcomed when Manchester City are the closest challengers.

De Gea Clutch Again

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea kept the score level with two fine saves just before halftime.

First, the Spaniard flung himself at Marcus Olsson's excellent volley to keep the shot out. Then, on the ensuing corner, he tipped over Grant Hanley's header.

The clutch saves were part of yet another fine performance from the 21-year-old.

Remember when De Gea was considered a liability? Yeah, me neither.

More from Giggs

Ryan Giggs came on as a second-half substitute and performed well yet again. Not for the first time this year, Giggs' presence solidified United's midfield.

By now that's a broken record for United, and when it's not Giggs playing the super-sub, it tends to be fellow golden oldie Paul Scholes.

The other 19 Premier League teams—yes, even Manchester City—must be green with envy over United's unlikely contributors.

Another Moment of Young Brilliance

Props to Ashley Young, who scored another brilliant goal for United.

This one, a fabulous turn and low curler, ranks right up there with his goals against Arsenal and Tottenham.

But while we can all agree it was pretty, let's not get carried away now.