Blackburn 0 : 2 United

Blackburn have been a side on a bit of a slide. With one of their best managers Mark Hughes gone and a few of their best players last season absent they haven't been in the best of form this season. So, inspite of United having a not-so-impressive record at Ewood Park, I somehow knew it wasn't going to be a difficult task for United to comeback with all 3 points.

The good news at the start of the game was the surprise inclusion of Wayne Rooney in the starting eleven as he was considered doubtful for the past few days. But he was being played on the right with Berbatov and Giggs upfront - yet another experiment from Sir Alex! But that hardly mattered given the impressive movement United players produced for most of the match which meant Rooney would enjoy quite a time in front of the Rovers' goal. United were on their way right from the start and the team seemed almost like a set combination with the likes of Berbatov and Ronaldo seemingly more comfortable. Unlike the last time, Rooney looked much more comfortable playing on the right this time in coordination with Brown who had some great runs as the match progressed. The first few chances of the match fell to Vidic and Fletcher, both of whom had bright chances to open the scoring but were not successful. Blackburn weren't too defensive to say the least - Santa Cruz and Derbyshire made some pretty impressive runs into the United defense, the latter came close to scoring early on only to be denied by Van der Saar.

United looked more and more potent as the first half progressed, inspite of rainy conditions. And they deservedly got the first goal on the 30th minute - Rooney's incisive cross found Browne at its end to head it in past a distracted Rovers' keeper Jason Browne. Though there were appeals against the goal they weren't heeded to, much to the dismay of the home team. With a goal scored, United's game seemed to have progressed into another level. It won't be unfair to say that the Blackburn goal was a scene of constant bombardment from then on!

Second half was no different for United. Rooney, Ronaldo and Berbatov looked at their menacing best. Ronaldo, who seems to have regained full fitness made some great runs but didn't have that razer sharp finishing he seemed to possess in tons last season. Nevertheless, Ronaldo did succeed in having a hand, becoming the provider of the second goal which, by the way was an absolute beauty. He made a brilliant run on the right while Rooney made a smart run through defenders to intercept Ronaldo's pass and then came up with a sublime finish to find the roof of the net. Rooney could have had another, moments later, but his shot was agonisingly just over the bar. Tevez, who came on late into the match as a sub for Rooney also came close to scoring - but could only hit the post! Berbatov too came close to scoring - he missed a good chance to add to his tally. United could have had so many more. And in the end, the tally of 2 probabaly didn't do United the justice their game deserved!

So the saga of United's flight to the top continues. The team is looking more and more settled with every game. Everybody who's coming in is producing brilliant football - like Brown did in this game! It's hard to find any negatives in United's armoury right now - a sound defense, robust midfield - even in the absence of Carrick, Hargreaves and Scholes! and an enviable attack. The bench strength is another asset we possess at this point in time. I guess, United will go from strength to strength from here on. We are a team on song!!!

Man Of the Match : Wayne Rooney