United take giant title step

They might not have clinched the title at Ewood Park last night, like they did last season, but Manchester United took a huge stride towards securing a record 20th crown at the venue.

Eleven months ago, Wayne Rooney’s equalising penalty in a 1-1 draw sparked scenes of celebration from United’s travelling masses.

Last night, late goals by Antonio Valencia, a sublime finish from an acute angle, and Ashley Young sent Sir Alex Ferguson’s side five points clear at the top with seven games remaining while condemning Blackburn to the bottom three.

That lead will be extended to eight points if they overcome Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford on Sunday before nearest rivals Manchester City are next in action at Arsenal.

It is United’s to lose, something that could not have been said a month ago.

On March 3 it was City who held a five-point advantage at the summit but United’s seventh straight top-flight win completed a 10-point swing.

With the race for the title at a critical stage, Ferguson had attempted to ease the pressure on his players by taking them on a golfing weekend to St Andrews.

And it looked like the trip had the desired affect as the visitors dominated the opening exchanges at a ground where they had won just twice in their previous 11 top-flight visits.

With their 7,000 travelling fans in buoyant mood and clearly sensing a shift in momentum in the title race, Javier Hernandez twice went close in the opening 10 minutes.

Blackburn had already survived a narrow escape after Hernandez spurned a fine chance from close range following a delightful Wayne Rooney pass when the Mexican hit the post five minutes later after connecting with Valencia’s low cross at the near post.

Hernandez wheeled away believing he had scored but was left holding his hands on his head after realising his shot had come back off the post and hit Paul Robinson, the Blackburn keeper reacting quickly to prevent the ball crossing the line.

It was the closest United came to scoring in a goalless first-half.

Blackburn were guilty of affording Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick too much space while Valencia was proving United’s main source of ammunition from the left flank.

Yet this was a night where the leaders were required to show patience.

Carrick fired narrowly over from long range before Untied keeper David de Gea, who was dropped after Blackburn’s shock 3-2 win at Old Trafford at the end of December, made the first of three excellent saves by denying Junior Hoilett from 25-yards.

Phil Jones helped save Rovers from relegation last season but the England international let his former club off the hook on his first return to Ewood Park since joining United last summer when he headed wide following an excellent delivery from the tireless Valencia.

Blackburn did not play like a side fighting for survival as they finished the half strongly, De Gea producing two more great saves to keep out Marcus Olsson and Grant Hanley.

After clawing away Olsson’s 18-yard effort, the Spaniard showed great reactions to deny Hanley from a corner.

United had dropped just two points from their previous 10 league games and there was a sense of urgency from the leaders after the interval.

Rooney forced Robinson into a rare save from a free-kick soon after the England striker had fired another chance over the bar.

And Robinson was at his best to frustrate Rafael da Silva’s rasping diagonal strike before de Gea almost allowed Blackburn to make a 61st minute breakthrough.

Having produced a string of fine stops, the keeper was rescued by Rio Ferdinand after spilling Morten Gamst Pedersen’s free-kick.

Moments later Pedersen did find the net with an excellent finish from the edge of the area but the goal was ruled out after the ball was adjudged to have gone out of play.

But United sealed victory with two goals in the closing stages.

Rovers keeper Robinson will feel he should have done better for Valencia’s goal, a powerful ambitious effort nine minutes from time after Rafael’s pass.

Substitute Young made sure with a well-executed finish from the edge of the area to send Blackburn back into the relegation zone.

BLACKBURN ROVERS (4-4-1-1): Robinson 7; Orr 7, Dann 7, Hanley 7, Martin Olsson 7; Pedersen 7, Nzonzi 6, Orr 7, Marcus Olsson 6; Hoilett 7; Yakubu 7.

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-4-2): De Gea 8; Rafael 7, Ferdinand 7, Evans 6, Evra 6; Carrick 6, Scholes 6 (Young 79, 7), Jones 6 (Giggs 63, 6), Valencia 8; Hernandez 7 (Welbeck 61, 6), Rooney.

Referee: Howard Webb (6).