United on course with goal lead

Manchester United 2, Blackburn Rovers 1 (half-time)

Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes combined to keep Manchester United’s title bandwagon rolling at full speed at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Old Trafford old-boy Henning Berg had given the home faithful some anxious moments when he levelled van Nistelrooy’s 38th goal of the season with a powerful far post header midway through the opening period.

But Scholes smashed the league leaders back in front shortly before the interval after a brilliant left-wing burst from Phil Neville.

The goal gave Blackburn a surge of confidence which United were struggling to contain and if Ferdinand had not slid in to block, a low Duff cross would have caused massive problems.

The intervention set the home side away on the counter and van Nistelrooy predictably got on the end of it, sending a shot dribbling marginally wide with Freidel beaten.

At the other end, Barthez raced out to hoof a Yorke through ball downfield as Cole threatened to pounce, then Ferdinand belted an attempted clearance straight at Nicky Butt, forcing the French keeper into an agile stop to keep out the rebound.

Butt’s next involvement was a more positive one, linking with Ryan Giggs as the Welshman created another opportunity for van Nistelrooy, which again rolled just wide.

Short positioned himself perfectly to intercept when Giggs attempted to find the supporting van Nistelrooy with a square ball after a United break downfield ripped Blackburn’s defence apart.

Berg was in the way the next time Giggs advanced down the left flank as Blackburn continued to frustrate but, four minutes before the interval the home side struck for the second time.

Scholes found Neville with an astute pass with the outside of his right foot, then continued his run. Having overcome Dunn’s challenge on a brilliant 30-yard burst to the by-line, Neville cut the ball back, Short got a touch but only into the path of Scholes, who smashed United back in front with glee.