Title chances slipping away, admits Ferguson

ALEX FERGUSON admitted his chances of securing a record-breaking fourth successive Premier League title were slipping from his grasp in the wake of the disappointing goalless draw at Ewood Park.

The result left United a point behind league leaders Chelsea despite having played a game more and Ferguson, whose side must travel to neighbours Manchester City next weekend, all but conceded the title afterwards.

The growing theory that United are too reliant on Wayne Rooney is in danger of becoming a fact in the wake of another crushing result for Ferguson’s side in what is rapidly becoming a month to forget for the reigning champions.

In a week when Rooney has played just over half a game for United, Ferguson’s side have lost to Chelsea, their main title rivals as well as getting knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Bayern Munich.

Failing to beat Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park might just prove the final straw for Ferguson and his ambitions of winning a remarkable fourth straight Premier League title and how he will be ruing the loss of Rooney, his leading scorer, at such a pivotal stage of a season which promised so much yet now seems destined to deliver so little.

To make matters worse Rio Ferdinand picked up a groin strain and is considered a huge doubt for the trip to Eastlands, while Ryan Giggs is battling a hamstring problem and Wayne Rooney is undergoing intensive treatment on his troublesome ankle in the hope of being fit for a game United simply have to win at Eastlands.

Ferguson said: “We created plenty of chances and had enough opportunities to take them and we should have done better in this game.

“It was a disappointing result, there is no doubt about that. This is a fantastic result for Chelsea. They have a home game against Bolton on Tuesday which they will be fancied to win, of course.

“We have a derby game against Manchester City next week. It’s a derby game that takes away the business of chasing the League. It is a different kind of game. It will be entertaining in terms of the pride of the supporters.

“We were a little unlucky with that injury to Rio Ferdinand with ten minutes to go. That left us virtually down to ten men. We also had John O’Shea getting injured and Ryan Giggs picking up a hamstring injury in the first half.

“The title is slipping away when you don’t get a result in a game like today. We are now a point behind Chelsea and they have a game in hand which would take it to four points. It’s a big gap.”

Although United dominated possession, they created few clearcut chances. Antonio Valencia had the best one just before the break when he found himself clear inside the penalty area. But Paul Robinson produced a fine save to repel the Ecuador star and United came no nearer even though they spent long periods camped in the Blackburn half. “We had so many opportunities in the last third of the field and our decision-making has let us down,” said Ferguson. “The ball just jumped up on Valencia a little bit. He should have scored.

“That would have put us in front just before half-time and Blackburn would not have come back at us.”

In truth, though, United were lacklustre to start with. Berbatov offered little movement in attack while Macheda struggled to get into the game. Nani appeared to have the beating of the ageing Michel Salgado on the left flank yet United were struggling to get the ball to him, despite dominating the possession and territory.

Berbatov’s body language somehow personified United’s star. The Bulgarian forward was a picture of frustration, with himself, his colleagues, the game and even the referee. He spent the opening 20 minutes gesticulating to team-mates who refused to pass him the ball or anticipate what he was thinking.

The visitors continued to struggle to find a way through Blackburn’s stubborn and well organised defence and when a slight opening did present itself Ferguson’s men wasted it. Like when Nani failed to find the unmarked Macheda with no-one between him and Robinson’s goal or when Nani blazed a free kick off target on the hour mark.

When Berbatov slipped and then lost his boot with just four minutes remaining he looked a beaten man and someone who summed up United’s end to the season.

After spending Thursday with Ferguson at Aintree, Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce dispelled the theory he might do his old friend a favour. His side are now firmly entrenched in mid-table and are proving very difficult for the big boys to overcome, particularly at Ewood Park.

“Nobody gets it easy here,” said Allardyce. “We have had Chelsea here twice, we have had Liverpool here, now we have had Manchester United here and none of them have managed to beat us. It shows how much we have grown.”

Indeed, Rovers have lost just three home matches in 28 since Allardyce took charge last season – a run Chelsea no doubt hope continues given Arsenal, now their closest rivals, have still to travel north.

“The defensive performance as a team was outstanding. This home record is looking magnificent now. It shows the resilience and determination of the team. I thought it was a critical save from Paul just before half time. That came at the right time and we got better in the second half, which I thought we would.

“I thought Manchester United would tire after their exploits in midweek. I thought they would push on because they had to go for the win and this would leave some gaps for us. They had some half chances, but no clear-cut ones. The basis of any successful team is clean sheets. Chances haven’t been created regularly and we’ve not had the skill to convert them, so we’ve had to rely heavily on clean sheets. That’s 12 now for the season. It shows we’ve come a long way.

“A good bit of damage has been done to United’s chances now. There’s no doubt, listening to Sir Alex before this and him saying that they had to win every game. We’ve managed to get a draw which has knocked their chances. They will hope Chelsea slip up and they can win all four. It’s not over for them, but it will be difficult.”

MATCH RATING: ** Started poorly and struggled to improve. Granted, Blackburn did their best to frustrate and stifle United whenever possible in the hope of securing a draw, but the onus was on the visitors to break Allardyce’s side down and they couldn’t manage it.

REFEREE: Peter Walton (Northants) 7 Did well considering what was at stake for United. Showed common sense whenever possible and tried to let the game flow, not that it really threatened to.