Premier League preview: Blackburn v Manchester United

Manchester United can wrap up their 19th title in English top-flight football if they earn at least a draw at Blackburn on Saturday.

Given Rovers’ form in the second half of the season, that task should be all too easy for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who took apart title challengers Chelsea 2-1 in their last start to all but sew up the English Premier League crown.

Steve Kean’s men have turned somewhat of a corner after an 11-match winless run, with a victory over Bolton and a draw away at West Ham, but their relegation plight is yet to be resolved as they sit just three points above drop zone inhabitants Blackpool.

The spotlight on Saturday, however, will be on United as they seek to seal a record-breaking 19th championship, to move clear of Liverpool’s tally of 18.

Ferguson has a plethora of options on the selection table, with just Owen Hargreaves (shoulder) occupying their injury list, and the Scottish boss will no doubt be wary of avoiding injuries in their last two league matches prior to the Champions League final later this month.

Rovers’ injury list consists of David Dunn (calf), Michel Salgado (knee), Ryan Nelsen (knee) and Vinnie Grella (Achilles), with Dunn and Salgado in the mix to return on Saturday.

Manchester United embarrassed Blackburn 7-1 at Old Trafford in November last year, with striker Dimitar Berbatov scoring five, and the Bulgarian might be in line for a recall if Ferguson wishes to rest either of his first-choice front men in Wayne Rooney or Javier Hernandez.

Berbatov has been pushed out of United’s starting 11 in the latter part of the season courtesy of Hernandez’s form, although ironically the 30-year-old leads the Premier League goal scoring charts on 21.