Ferguson, Berbatov – Getty
Wayne Rooney should return to the Manchester United attack after being rested against Wigan Athletic. Dimitar Berbatov could partner him after his hat-trick against the Latics, with Javier Hernandez dropping to the bench.
Sir Alex Ferguson hopes to welcome Chris Smalling, Rio Ferdinand and Phil Jones back to the defence, but Jonny Evans will miss out after picking up a calf injury in the Wigan match. United’s injury list still includes the likes of Anderson, Tom Cleverley, Michael Owen, Darren Fletcher, Ashley Young and Nemanja Vidic.
Martin Olsson remains a doubt but could provide a welcome boost by returning at left-back for Blackburn. Junior Hoilett picked up an injury in Rovers’ 1-1 draw with Liverpool and could miss out here, while Paul Robinson is unlikely to be rushed back into action after Mark Bunn’s impressive display at Anfield.
- Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will celebrate his 70th birthday on the day of the match.
- United will have thoroughly enjoyed their two matches against Rovers last season. After beating them 7-1 at home, they could only draw 1-1 at Ewood Park, but that point was enough to hand them the Premier League title.
- Phil Jones (pictured right), if fit, will face his former club for the first time since his move to Old Trafford in the summer.
- Blackburn Rovers have won just one of their last 13 Premier League fixtures, and have only two top-flight victories under their belt all season.
- Their 1-1 draw with Liverpool snapped a three-game losing run, but they remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
- After 18 matches last season, Rovers had collected 22 points, double their tally so far this season, and were sat in 12th place in the Premier League.
- Blackburn have not beaten United since 2006, when they recorded a 4-3 win at Ewood Park. Morten Gamst Pedersen and Ryan Nelsen are the only players who featured that day who still remain at the club, although the latter is currently injured.
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