On a stunning day of upsets in the English Premiership, none bigger came at Old Trafford where Steve Kean’s Blackburn Rovers defied all odds to overcome Manchester United 3-2 on the day, in the process leaving Alex Ferguson red-faced on the day of his 70th birthday.

Blackburn striker Ayegbeni Yakubu scored twice while defender Grant Hanley snatched the winner as Kean took a leaf out of Ferguson’s book by relying on youth to get the result. While the win may ease some of the pressure on the beleaguered Blackburn manager, it would not have saved some of the United players from their own boss’ wrath.

Certainly the pre-game scene would not have anyone expecting such an end result as Old Trafford celebrated their legendary manager’s birthday to a man. Rovers did not follow the script and showed that the current United side should not be as feared as much as their predecessors. While there is no little amount of quality in a squad boasting the likes of Wayne Rooney and Nani, there are just as many unpolished gems and others who are at best average standard for the champions.

Ferguson did himself no favours by choosing to underestimate the desire of a Blackburn side eager to back their manager publicly with a display of resolute defending and commitment. Rooney was nowhere to be seen on the matchday squad while injuries also left Ferguson with little choice but to pair Michael Carrick and Phil Jones in the centre of defence. However, it was unfortunate Bulgarian star Dimitar Berbatov who set the ball running for the upset by upending Chris Samba in the penalty area that resulted in Yakubu netting the resultant penalty.

The Nigerian then netted once more in the second half to stun United whilst putting Blackburn 2-0 up. However, Berbatov hit back immediately from the restart and United had their tails up for the rest of the half. The incessant pressure on the Blackburn goal then finally told as the Bulgarian scored his second of the game to draw the champions level. Everything up to that moment pointed to United eventually going on to win the game as the likes of Nani, Danny Welbeck and Berbatov continued to pound Mark Bunn’s goalmouth.

Blackburn Rovers’ Grant Hanley profits from another David De Gea error to knock in the winner against Manchester United

However, David De Gea’s goalkeeping woes returned to haunt him as the expensive Spanish acquisition failed to deal with a Blackburn corner properly and Hanley stole in from the resulting confusion to score his side’s third. Despite relentless pressure from United the rest of the game, they were to be denied though, with young substitute Will Keane even contriving to clear off the line for Blackburn Rovers from his own teammate Phil Jones’ goalbound shot in the dying seconds.

There is little doubt that Manchester United remains the best side to push Manchester City for the title this season, but there are serious questions over the long term quality of several players. If Ferguson is serious about keeping United at the top for years to come – especially after his newly announced departure in three years’ time – then the likes of David De Gea are simply not good enough for the English champions. Catch the match highlights below that show how little De Gea has improved since arriving at the club.

Match Result and Highlights
[ Manchester United 2-3 Blackburn Rovers ]
16′ [0 - 1] A. Yakubu (pen.)
51′ [0 - 2] A. Yakubu
52′ [1 - 2] D. Berbatov
52′ [1 - 2] D. Berbatov
62′ [2 - 2] D. Berbatov

Tags: English Premier League, Match Analysis, Match Highlights // Add Comment »