Many unhappy returns for Fergie

31 December 2011 15:17

Blackburn ruined Sir Alex Ferguson's 70th birthday celebrations as they claimed a shock 3-2 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Grant Hanley headed home the winner 10 minutes from time after Dimitar Berbatov's double had cancelled out a brace from Ayegbeni Yakubu that had given Blackburn a surprise two-goal advantage.

It cost United their chance to claim leadership of the Barclays Premier League on the day Ferguson confirmed his intention to remain as manager for another three years.

It was all United but the hosts were in for a very nasty shock as Patrice Evra's foul gave Mark Bunn the chance to launch a free-kick into the home box. Berbatov and Christopher Samba got themselves involved in a tussle that ended with the Bulgarian tumbling to the floor and taking his opponent with him.

Referee Mike Dean had a brilliant view and instantly decided the clash was worthy of a penalty. Veteran striker Yakubu took the opportunity with ease, sending David De Gea the wrong way.

United responded and Bunn made an excellent save to deny Nani, who had been picked out by Evra, then the Blackburn goalkeeper made a feet-first save to turn away Javier Hernandez's low effort in stoppage time.

Six minutes after the restart, United were even further behind as Yakubu turned Michael Carrick then profited from the former England man's weak clearance to stride past Phil Jones and drive the ball through De Gea's legs.

Disastrously for Blackburn, they conceded themselves within 20 seconds of the restart as United advanced, the ball eventually finding its way to Rafael, whose cross was turned home by Berbatov.

Now United were on the offensive and when Morten Gamst Pedersen's poor clearance fell to Rafael, he was quick to release Antonio Valencia on his outside. The winger outpaced the Rovers defence before pulling a cross back to Berbatov, who calmly sidefooted home.

Then, after Jones had turned Steven Nzonzi's cross over, Blackburn regained the lead when De Gea failed to claim Pedersen's corner, Hanley winning the first header before nodding a second in.

Source: PA