Source: SKY_Sports
Man Utd v Blackburn preview
Manchester United can stretch their lead at the top of the table to eight points with a win over relegation threatened Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.[LNB] With second place Liverpool not playing until Sunday, United will want to apply as much pressure as possible on their title rivals.[LNB]Sam Allardyce's Rovers side currently occupy the last relegation spot and find themselves a point from safety.[LNB]Rovers have lost just once since Allardyce took over but have drawn four of their last six games in all competitions.[LNB]United team newsStriker Wayne Rooney is pushing for a start after making a scoring return to first-team action when he came off the bench against Fulham on Wednesday.[LNB]The 23-year-old had missed the club's previous seven games, with United winning them all, but could feature from the start in order to gain match sharpness ahead of the UEFA Champions League clash at Inter Milan on Tuesday.[LNB]Defenders Gary Neville and Wes Brown both missed the game against the Cottagers with minor knocks but both could be back for Saturday.[LNB]Veteran Ryan Giggs was rested in midweek but his sterling displays of late could see him recalled for the clash.[LNB]Brazilian midfielder Anderson still faces a few more weeks on the sidelines as he recovers from an ankle injury.[LNB]Meanwhile goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar can break another record on Saturday. If the Dutch shot-stopper keeps his 15th consecutive league clean sheet he will break the European league record.[LNB]Rovers team newsBlackburn have no new injuries ahead of the trip to Old Trafford but will be without defender Christopher Samba through suspension.[LNB]On-loan defender Gael Givet could come into the centre of defence to replace the Congo international.[LNB]Allardyce will be without long-term absentees Brett Emerton and Steven Reid who are both out with knee injuries.[LNB]On a more positive note Emerton successfully underwent surgery to his cruciate knee ligament in Australia and is set to return for the start of next season. [LNB]Possible starting XIsManchester United: Van der Sar, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, Park, Berbatov, Rooney.[LNB]Blackburn: Robinson, Ooijer, Warnock, Givet, Nelsen, Dunn, Grella, Pedersen, Andrews, McCarthy, Santa Cruz. [LNB]
