Premier League: Blackburn 0 Manchester United 2

Manchester United moved five points clear at the top with late goals from Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young.

The Old Trafford club dominated for long periods of the game, but had to wait until the last 10 minutes to score.

First Valencia hit a ferocious effort into the far corner from the wing, while five minutes later Young hit another good effort on the spin.

United started much the brighter side, with Chicharito coming close on a few occasions in the opening 15 minutes.

United keeper David de Gea was called into action, making a leaping save to his left to stop Junior Hoilett’s effort from 25 yards.

Jonny Evans was the next player to put in an effort on goal, placing a low effort at goal after a corner, but Robinson was only tasked with a simple save to his left.

Former Blackburn man Phil Jones could only head wide when unmarked minutes later following a sweeping move involving Patrice Evra, Scholes and Valencia.

United then had claims for a penalty turned down as a Michael Carrick cross was charged down by Scott Dann. The ball hit the defender on the elbow, but he had it tucked in towards his body.

United produced some dangerous crosses early in the second half with Rooney hitting a venomous effort wide from distance.

Yakubu then had two efforts in a minute following some sloppy play from Carrick, but he wasn’t punished as both shots flew off target.

Morten Gamst Pedersen then tested De Gea from a free kick as his wall proved ineffective, with the keeper just about stopping the ball as Rio Ferdinand came in to sweep up the danger.

Ferguson then looked to his substitutes with Giggs replacing Jones and Welbeck coming on for Chicharito as United went for to a 4-4-2 formation.

United finally got the goal that their pressure deserved in the 81st minute, through the man many claim to have been their best performer this season.

Valencia received the ball wide on the right, taking on his defender before slamming an effort across the face of goal and into the far corner.

If the winger had meant it, it would be an unbelievable strike, though questions will be asked of Robinson as to how he allowed the effort past him.

And in the 86th minute United made sure of the points, as substitute Young received the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the area, before spinning and whipping a powerful effort past Robinson, who had no chance as the curl on the ball took it from outside the post into the bottom corner.