Saturday 31/12/2011
Premier League
Shock defeat for United as the Premier League's bottom side ruin Sir Alex Ferguson's birthday celebrations.
United were celebrating the 70th birthday of their enigmatic manager Sir Alex Ferguson and a single point would be enough to put his side top for the new year. There was no place in the squad for Wayne Rooney as Manchester United's starting line up had an unfamiliar feel with the likes of Rafael, Park Ji-sung and Dimitar Berbatov handed starts.
And it was the home side that started the brighter with Nani looking particularly sharp. United were struck a blow after fifteen minutes when Dimitar Berbatov brought down Chris Samaba in the box giving Blackburn a penalty and an unlikely early lead as Yakubu dispatched the penalty calmly. The goal shook the home side and despite dictating the play they were struggling to carve any clear cut chances.
Rovers were defending well, limiting the reds to half chances with Phil Jones' poke towards goal blocked in the area before Chicharito saw his shot whistle past the post. The Champions were huffing and puffing as Blackburn held onto their lead going into the interval.
The second half saw the introduction of Anderson on for Chicharito as the manager opted to change to a 4-4-2 formation. But United were hit by another blow when in the 51st minute Yakubu grabbed his second after poor defending, the goal giving United a mountain to climb. Straight from the restart United got themselves right back in the mix as Berbatov nodded home from close range to make the score 1-2.
The goal put fire in the United belly as the Old Trafford crowd roared on the reds. On 62 minutes Berbatov grabbed his second firing home from close range following an Antonio Valencia cross. Could United push on to grab the winner after being two goals down? Blackburn soon found their defensive footing again, frustrating the resurgent United.
After 18 minutes of pure United pressure it there was yet another set back for United as following a corner Hanely headed home following poor goalkeeping from David De Gea. United now had ten minutes to find at least one goal. The reds had a lack of options to bring on from the bench with Will Keane brought on five minutes from time in search of an equaliser.
United were deflated by the goal and struggled created any further chances until the final seconds when Phil Jones saw his shot saved off the line as United went down to their second league defeat of the season. The Manchester side missed their chance to move to the top of the table as the season reaches the half way point.
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