Manchester United at Blackburn: 7 Things We Learned in Red Devils' 2-0 Win

Was there ever any doubt about Manchester United going to Ewood Park and completely demolishing lowly Blackburn?

As I said last week, you either had to be delusional or the most diehard Rovers fan to think the Red Devils were going to let a repeat of their first meeting—a 3-2 loss—happen this late in the season with so much on the line.

Manchester United walked away with a 2-0 win, but it took nearly the full match for the scoreline to break. Unfortunately for Rovers fans at Ewood Park, it was Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young who scored in the 81st and 86th minutes, respectively, giving the league-leading visitors another three-point boost above crosstown rivals Manchester City.

There's a lot to learn from the Red Devils' latest victory, but I give you the seven biggest takeaways from this match concerning the club's chances to win the league for the fifth time in the last six years.

Wayne Rooney Doesn't Need to Score

Another shameless plug, but as I wrote before, Wayne Rooney doesn't need to score for the Red Devils to be successful.

In fact, the club has been at its peak when Rooney's taken a little off the ol' fastball and spread the love.

Rooney's paired well with nearly everyone on the pitch at some point or another in the last two months. He's either mounting an attack, assisting on a score or even—and this is rare—helping support on defense.

In the Red Devils' 5-0 win over Wolves, he assisted Antonio Valencia's score with an incredible pass.

In their 3-0 win over Bolton, he delivered the ball to Paul Scholes through the tightest of windows for the opening goal of the match.

In the club's 2-0 win over Norwich City, he headed Oliveira Anderson a beautiful ball off a corner.

I don't know how the guy does it, but he makes nearly everyone around him better at nearly everything they're doing. He'll take the game over when need be, but the longer he can settle into the role as "supporting cast" the easier Manchester United will find it winning this season's league title.

...but Chicharito Does!

According to ESPN, Manchester United's Little Green Pea hasn't set a goal target for himself this season and that "winning the Premier League remains his sole priority."

My question to Chicharito: "How could you set a goal target in the first place?"

Sure, Hernandez has 10 goals this season, but he's been about as fickle on the pitch as Stoke City fans are with their club.

Two league goals—both against Wolves, mind you—since February 6. Not a recipe for success if Ferguson wants an offense that can keep their lead on Manchester City.

Ferguson Doesn't Give a Damn About the Pogba Rumors

Well, color me embarrassed.

Not only did I predict that Paul Pogba would get the starting nod against a relatively weak Blackburn side, but I boldly stated that he would score the match's first two goals.

I'm just going to stop saying Ferguson's going to relent to the pressure of putting Paul Pogba in the starting lineup. The rumors of Pogba leaving for Juventus just don't concern the wily ol' coach and if the 19-year-old isn't one of the best 11 in a Manchester United uniform, then he just won't see the pitch.

Keep Antonio Valencia on the Pitch!

I don't know what's gotten into Antonio Valencia, but if Ferguson knows what's good for him—and judging from the 70-year-old's long list of accolades, he usually does—he'll leave the 26-year-old in the starting lineup.

In his last four league appearances, Valencia has scored two goals and assisted on three others.

Keep the Ecuadorian on the pitch and no one gets hurt, Ferguson.

Michael Carrick Is Sorely Underrated

By simply looking at his stat line for the season—two goals, two assists and a handful of shots on goal—you wouldn't think much of Michael Carrick.

But you'd be dead wrong.

Carrick is a field general out on the pitch, dictating the pace of the game. The way he orchestrates the ebb and flow of Manchester United's midfield makes me think he should change his name from Michael to Maestro.

If the Red Devils are going to keep their lead on the Blues, they'll need Carrick to continue to be Mr. Dependable, distributing the ball to teammates like it's free candy.

United Can Play All 90 Minutes

With how hard the Red Devils have played this season and with the ups and downs of the last few months alone, you'd think the team would be worn down and gasping for air after the 75th minute.

Not so with Manchester United.

Scoring not one, but two goals (on the road no less!) shows not only the match fitness but the mental toughness of this squad. They can play all 90 minutes, and if they can finish the season as strongly as they finished their match against Blackburn, the silverware's staying at Old Trafford.

...Even Visiting a Hostile Ewood Park

I don't know how hostile Ewood Park can be for visiting teams, but if they're anywhere near as vicious as they are to their own team, Manchester United's 2-0 shutout win in Blackburn was just short of a miracle.

Blackburn may not be that good, but going into their house and leaving them with a clean sheet is still impressive. After all, they're a Premier League club, and anyone in the top tier of English football deserves some respect for getting that far.

...except Wigan Athletic, of course.