Manchester United vs Blackburn Rovers Match Preview
Manchester United can finish 2011 on top of the Premier League table with a win or draw when they play host to Blackburn Rovers.
United are behind league leading Manchester City on goal difference alone, and have won their last five games by a combined score of 17-1.
Blackburn showed spirit to grab a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Boxing Day, but remain bottom of the table five points adrift of safety.
United have personnel issues in defense, with center backs Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling ruled out. Rio Ferdinand and Phil Jones are injury doubts for the Red Devils and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Rovers manager Steve Kean has a lengthy list of injury doubts that is headlined by David Dunn, Junior Hoilett and Martin Olsson.
Kean is under great pressure from the Blackburn fans as the club battles against relegation. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson offered the struggling Blackburn boss support with a personal phone call this week, and the gesture was much appreciated.
“What was said I would rather keep private but it was very encouraging,” Kean told BBC Sport.
While his words in private were encouraging, when these two teams go head to head at Old Trafford, Ferguson will be hoping his team pile more pressure on struggling Rovers and end 2011 at the Premier League summit.