The Best and Worst Of Cristiano Ronaldo Seen As Man United Scrape By Blackburn

Manchester United moved eight points clear of nearest rivals Liverpool tonight as goals from Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo condemned Blackburn to only their second defeat since the appointment of Sam Allardyce.

Another three points in the bag and another step forward towards another title. Even the most pessimistic United fan must say that things are starting to look really good now. 

Sir Alex made five changes, the most surprising exclusion was the replacement of record setter Edwin Van Der Sar with Polish stopper Tomas Kuszczak. Young starlet Rafael was also handed a starting place while Wayne Rooney and Nani returned to the side.

Defensive rock Nemanja Vidic was also excluded; the only reason I can fathom why is to give Johnny Evans some much needed playing time alongside his partner, Rio Ferdinand, for the Champions League tie in Italy Tuesday.

The game started as United have started all games recently - fast and aggressive. Nani was put through from a Rooney pass early on, but failed to capitalise.

Paul Scholes fizzed with energy and once again controlled the midfield admirably and came close with a fierce shot from outside the box. United continued to pressure and were rewarded in the 23rd minute. The anonymous Nani finally did something useful by playing a ball through the Blackburn defence for Rooney to slot home.

The England starlet has now scored 14 goals this season and is currently in a rich vein of form with four goals in as many games.

However, the lead did not last long.

Over 1,300 minutes of football had elapsed since United's measly defence had conceded a goal yet it was no surprise that as soon as Fergie decided to drop his two most influential guardians of that defence - Van Der Sar and Nemanja Vidic - the record was finally broken.

Andre Ooijer was allowed to bomb forward into space in the center of the pitch before dispatching a perfectly weighted pass to Roque Santa Cruz, who calmly rounded the laughable Kuszczak before slotting into an empty net.

Old Trafford were silenced. Did that ball really go in? We conceded?

United, and in particularly Paul Scholes, looked to drag themselves back into it and thought they had restored the lead when Johnny Evans powered home a header. However, the ever enigmatic Howard Webb ruled that there was pushing and disallowed the goal.

The second half was as hectic as the first. Blackburn created numerous chances, Ryan Nelsen hitting the post causing a sudden rise in my blood pressure.

United continued to dominate and control possession in spells. However it was Ronaldo's diving antics that made more swear words leave my mouth than any other incident in the game.

Collecting the ball on the edge of the area, he began to power through between defenders - as only Ronaldo can. My hands tighten into a fist in anticipation, waiting for the Portuguese ace to rifle the winner home.

Instead, he performs a fresh air dive - as only Ronaldo can.

At that moment I turn and look at my friend, who duly shakes his head in disappointment.

"Did I really just see that?" I thought to myself. Howard Webb definitely did, as he brandished a deserved yellow to the current World Player of the Year.

Next, Ronaldo kicks out at David Dunn and somehow does not get sent off.

The game wore on and United won a promising free kick on the edge of the Blackburn area. Four minutes after getting booked for simulation and showcasing the worst of his talents to the Old Trafford faithful, Ronaldo steps up to power home an unstoppable free kick past Paul Robinson.

56 minutes in - Ronaldo dives and whines and gets himself booked.

60 minutes in - He changes the game and possibly his team's season with a moment of genius.

The two sides of the coin that is Cristiano Ronaldo. Surprisingly he later admitted he dived but also showed anger at Morten Gamst Pedersen not being booked for diving too.

“I thought Pedersen dived. It wasn’t a penalty. Pedersen dived and didn’t get a yellow card, but I dived and he did book me! But I suppose that’s just the situation of the game.”

Straight after the goal, Ferguson introduced Carlos Tevez for the awful Nani (surely he is not yet ready for this level yet?). Johnny Evans was replaced Nemanja Vidic. Evans, who looked to be carrying an injury, will now be considered a doubt for the clash in Milan. A huge blow to the defence considering Vidic's suspension.

United held on for a narrow, if barely deserved win while the cries of "Are you watching Mersyside?" rang around the stadium.

Indeed I'm sure Mersyside were watching, and will look to close the eight point gap tomorrow against our hated neighbours Man City.