Ronaldo confident Man Utd won´t roll over at Rovers

In-form Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo has no fears the Premier League leaders will see their quest for back-to-back titles derailed at Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Second-placed Chelsea closed to within two points of United, for whom the Rovers match is now a game in hand, after a 1-0 away to Everton on Thursday.

It was a morale-boosting victory for Avram Grant’s side after the shock of their 1-1 draw at home to lowly Wigan on Monday.

United’s game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on April 26 could yet prove pivotal in deciding the destination of the title but Ronaldo, who has scored a remarkable 38 goals already this season, believes his side’s mental strength means they won’t squander their advantage.

“We are in a good position now,” said the Portugal winger, whose performances this season have also helped United into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

“When Chelsea dropped points after we won against Arsenal, it was fantastic for us.

“Blackburn will be a tough game, but if we win we have a good chance to win the title,” added Ronaldo, who has scored in his last seven games.

“There are only four games left and there is a lot of pressure, but my confidence is high.”

While United’s current squad continue to go from strength to strength, reported target Karim Benzema is unlikely to be moving to Old Trafford after the end of the season.

The Lyon striker’s agent, Karim Djaziri, has insisted the 20-year-old prospect is staying with the French outfit.

“Benzema is not going to leave Lyon,” Djaziri said. “I know there is interest from a lot of clubs, but he is still young and he wants to continue in this team to get more experience.

“Next season he will continue to play for Lyon. After that, we’ll see.”

Former Manchester United striker and current Blackburn boss Mark Hughes will hope to temporarily derail his old side’s title bid.

Despite United having won eight of their last nine matches, Hughes is determined his team will play to their full potential.

“We are all looking forward to it, it is a standout fixture not only for us but most clubs,” he said. “It was sold out weeks ago and that hasn’t happened on too many occasions in my time here as manager.

“It is going to be a great occasion, a great day and we are looking forward to it. We expect to give a good account of ourselves and we will see what happens.”

Rovers currently sit ninth in the Premier League and even though his team are struggling to qualify for the Intertoto Cup, Hughes believes that a top-10 finish is impressive for a club of Blackburn’s size.

“We view the season at this point as a successful season because we work on different levels and with different resources to all the clubs around us.

“We are still in that top-half. We have not been outside the top 10 all year and for a club such as ourselves that is a fantastic achievement in itself.

“But we would much prefer at the end of the season we had something tangible to show everyone, and that’s European qualification if we can get it.”