Just one point stands between Man Utd and the title when they make the short trip to Blackburn on Saturday.
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Just one point stands between Manchester United and the Premier League title when they make the short trip to Blackburn on Saturday lunchtime.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men saw off the biggest threat to their trophy ambitions last weekend with a crucial 2-1 victory over an out-of-sorts Chelsea side at Old Trafford.
That win has left them almost home and dry in terms of the title race, with the Blues now six points adrift in second with just two games left to play.
Only massive upsets at Ewood Park and at home to Blackpool on the final day of the season can now stop the Red Devils from lifting a record 19th league trophy.
With the UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona looming in two weeks' time, United will be keen to get the job done at Rovers so that key players can be rested against Pool ahead of the Wembley showdown.
At the other end of the table, Steve Kean's men are currently a precarious 15th and just three points clear of safety, having secured just one win from their last 12 league games.
Blackburn's desperation could work in their favour on Saturday as they prepare to host United knowing defeat could see them slip into the drop zone.
However, the fact that Rovers have not beaten the Red Devils in their last nine league encounters is unlikely to instil them with confidence, and memories of a 7-1 thrashing, complete with five Dimitar Berbatov goals, in the reverse fixture back in November will still be raw.
Team news
Kean has been boosted by the return from injury of a trio of Rovers players ahead of the Lancashire derby.
Defender Phil Jones, who was a late omission from the team that drew against West Ham last week with a back problem, has regained fitness while Michel Salgado (knee) and David Dunn are also fit after missing the trip to East London.
Ryan Nelsen and Vince Grella are definite absentees and Ruben Rochina is a doubt after dislocating his shoulder in the reserves' win against United on Wednesday, a game in which the young Spaniard scored both Rovers goals.
United manager Ferguson has stressed his intention to field a full-strength line-up at Ewood Park as his side look to wrap up the title.
The only exception will be veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who the Scotsman is likely to rest after a demanding stretch of games, meaning Tomasz Kuszczak or Anders Lindegaard will be given a rare appearance.
It remains to be seen whether Berbatov, the five-goal hero in November's rout, will be handed a starting berth, with Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez largely preferred up front by Ferguson this season.
Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher is likely to be introduced from the bench at some stage as he continues his quest for fitness after a recent virus.
Possible starting XIs:
Blackburn: Robinson, Emerton, Samba, Givet, Olsson, Pedersen, J Jones, N'Zonzi, P Jones, Hoilett, Roberts.
Man Utd: Kuszczak, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Park, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Hernandez.
