Manchester United 2-0 Blackburn: Berbatov and Rooney condemn Rovers to 10th away league game on the spin
Published 19:34 31/10/09 By By MirrorFootball
Goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney saw Manchester United overcome Blackburn at Old Trafford.
Berbatov made the breakthrough in the 55th minute and Rooney sewed the match up two minutes from time.
United should have extended the scoreline but substitute Gabriel Obertan missed two sitters on his league debut.
Manchester United were the first to show and Nani sent a 20-yard shot whistling past the post following a marvellous crossfield pass from Brown in the third minute.
The home side won a free kick five minutes later when Stephen Nzonzi bundled over Dimitar Berbatov.
However Nani failed to take advantage of the opportunity sending his effort into the arms of Edwin van der Sar.
A mistake by Samba let in Valencia in the 13th minute but he failed to take advantage and scuffed a shot off target.
It was a clear opportunity and Blackburn looked nervous at the back at this stage following the mauling by Chelsea last weekend.
Anderson was then hauled back for blocking Dunn as he attempted to break clear.
That challenge incensed Allardyce and he remonstrated with referee Phil Dowd for apparently not booking the United midfielder.
Berbatov looked in some difficulty in the 21st minute and was limping after pulling up off the ball.
Blackburn were making a decent fist of it and a minute later El-Hadji Diouf got into a good position, only for John O'Shea to make a crucial interception.
Manchester United stepped up the pressure and Chimbonda did well to block a shot from Berbatov in the 29th minute after Patrice Evra played the ball in.
A minute later Berbatov nearly made the breakthrough with a downward header following a cross from Antonio Valencia.
However goalkeeper Paul Robinson reacted superbly and turned the Bulgarian's effort over the bar.
Blackburn responded and Samba peeled away from his marker as Dunn delivered the corner, only to head wide of the target.
It was brief respite for the visitors as Berbatov was again denied by Robinson in the 34th minute after being set up by Wayne Rooney.
There was a buzz of anticipation around Old Trafford five minutes later when Rooney shaped to take a free-kick but his effort went high over the bar.
This was a difficult spell for Blackburn and Berbatov found the net after Rooney had squared the ball to him in the 40th minute, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Then Nani misdirected his header from inside the area following a corner from Valencia as Blackburn held out until half-time.
United pushed forward in the 53rd minute after Nani won the ball off Gael Givet.
The midfielder attempted to release Rooney but the pass was hopelessly misplaced and the move broke down.
Anderson then picked out Evra, who had raced into the area, but his touch let him down and Robinson was able to collect.
United made the breakthrough in the 55th minute when Berbatov showed good skill when he got on the end of a cross from Evra.
He got the better of Ryan Nelsen, twisting and turning before sending a shot beyond Robinson for his fourth goal of the season.
This was a testing time for Blackburn given their wretched away record this year.
United boss Ferguson decided to make a change after 64 minutes bringing on Gabriel Obertan for the ineffective Nani.
Obertan made a delayed debut in the Carling Cup victory against Barnsley in midweek after recovering from a back injury.
He almost made a dream start in the 67th minute following a defence-splitting pass by Anderson.
Former Bordeaux winger Obertan raced away only to send a weak shot into the arms of a grateful Robinson.
Berbatov came off in the 79th minute and was replaced by Michael Owen, who scored in the cup victory against Barnsley.
United should have extended their lead in the 83rd minute but Obertan again fluffed his lines. Clear in front of goal as Valencia played the ball into his path, he snatched at the chance and sent his effort wide.
Obertan then had a hand in United's second goal in the 88th minute when he found Anderson on the left flank. The Brazilian sent a good ball into the area and Rooney was the first to react with a sweet finish.
Substitute Nikola Kalinic found the net for Blackburn in stoppage time but his effort was ruled offside before Owen sent a shot wide.
