REPORT: Manchester United 2 Blackburn Rovers 3

Sir Alex Ferguson’s 70th birthday didn’t have the celebrations he would’ve wanted, as Manchester United suffered a shocking 3-2 loss to Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford.

Rovers shock United at Old Trafford

Completely against the run of play, Yakubu gave Rovers a two goal lead, but Dimitar Berbatov canceled those out with two of his own, however, Grant Hanley’s first-ever goal gave the visitors all three points.

The disappointing loss, which ends their unbeaten run at nine games, sees United, at least momentarily, stay level on points with Manchester City, who play Sunderland tomorrow, but fall back even further on goal difference.

With a lot of his team out injured and sick, Ferguson had to make four changes to his starting XI that beat Wigan Athletic 5-0. Michael Carrick and Phil Jones were partnered in central defense, one line further back than they are used to playing together, but there were no natural center midfielders in the starting line-up.

Recap
Like they normally do, United started the game very brightly, but in the 15th minute it was Rovers who earned a penalty, after Dimitar Berbatov pulled down Christopher Samba. Yakubu stepped up to take the spot kick and sent David de Gea the wrong way and placed the ball in the net.

United started to boss the possession again, but they were unable to unlock the Blackburn defense – and luck wasn’t on their side, as three chances failed to produce a save from their goalkeeper. In the 28th minute, Phil Jones nearly scored against his former club but, with so many players in their penalty area, his shot struck Javier Hernandez defender. Following that, Chicharito struck a shot from distance, but his left-footed effort whistled wide of the far post and then Nani’s shot from the middle of the box went wildly high and wide of the target.

In the 44th minute, United almost got that elusive goal, but Mark Bunn made a diving save to his left to deny Nani’s toe-poke and then seconds later Hernandez’s near post blast struck his plant leg – and Rovers clung on to their 1-0 lead.

Like their first goal, against the run of play, Blackburn increased their lead – and it was Yakubu – again. Attacking down the right-hand flank, Rovers leading goal scorer powered into the United penalty and slammed his shot passed a helpless de Gea.

To their credit though, United pulled a goal straight back. The Reds worked the ball all the way across the pitch, and the ball fell kindly to Rafael, who completely missed hit his shot, but Berbatov was on hand to nod the ball into the net.

The Reds were putting more and more pressure on Rovers backline, and they got the equalizer. Rafael cushion a half-clearance by Morten Gamst Pederson to the foot of Valencia, who tore into the Blackburn box and drilled a cross which Berbatov turned into the back of the net.

In a four minute span, United had two very good chances to grab the lead. The first one was Berbatov’s cross, which looked to be turned into the net by a Rovers defender, but the trail foot of Bunn denied that from happening and then a powerful header from an advanced Jones went wide of the post.

However, in the 70th minute Blackburn finally got out of their own half and had two decent chances of their own. Mauro Formica’s long-range effort deflected off Carrick’s knee and went just wide of de Gea’s outstretched fingers and out for a corner. From the ensuing set-piece, the ball was whipped into the United six-yard box and it somehow, thankfully, went untouched and out for a goal kick.

After fighting their way back into the game, United were up against it again as they conceded a soft goal. A Blackburn cross should’ve been cleared with a swift punch or grabbed by de Gea, but he did neither and Hanley rose higher and put the ball into the unguarded net.

United had one more chance to get a point from the game, but Jones’ goal-bound blast was blocked by second-half substitute, Will Keane, and Blackburn were able to clear and hold on for all three precious points.

Team
de Gea; Valencia, Carrick, Jones, Evra; Nani, Park, Rafael (W. Keane 86′), Welbeck; Berbatov, Hernandez (Anderson 46′)

Goals
Berbatov 52′, 61′

Statistics
Possession: 63%
Corners: 17
Shots (On Target): 27 (5)
Fouls Conceded (Suffered): 7 (10)
Discipline: Nani, Carrick
Attendance: TBD