Premier League preview: Manchester United v Blackburn

Now level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City, Manchester United host Blackburn on Saturday keen to score a big win.

City lead United on goal difference after Roberto Mancini’s side dropped points in a goalless draw at West Bromwich Albion on Monday, and Sir Alex Ferguson will be pressing his squad for a victory against Rovers as they try to peg back their fierce rivals, who are five goals better off.

Dimitar Berbatov scored a hat-trick against 10-man Wigan Athletic on Monday for a largely second-string United side without Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, who were both ill, while Rio Ferdinand was out with a bad back.

Jones and Smalling remain in doubt against Blackburn and Jonny Evans will be out for two weeks after coming off with a calf injury against Wigan.

Ezekiel Fryers came on for Evans against Wigan and might be asked to deputise again if Jones and Smalling do not recover.

The midfield is where Ferguson’s squad are particularly hard hit, with Ashley Young, Darren Fletcher, Anderson, Fabio and Tom Cleverley all out through injury or illness.

Ryan Giggs should continue as playmaker with Park Ji-Sung and Nani on the flanks if Michael Carrick has to cover for Ferdinand at centre-half.

Antonio Valencia filled in at right back against Wigan and will continue to do so until United’s injury problem improves.

Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck have been Ferguson’s preferred choices in attack this season but Berbatov might get a look-in again if Blackburn are resilient.

Blackburn had lost their past three games 2-1 – against Bolton, West Brom and Sunderland – before snatching a valuable 1-1 draw at Anfield on Boxing Day against Liverpool.

Manager Steve Kean has his work cut out, however, against a United side who have scored 47 goals so far this season and conceded only 14, the tightest backline in the league next to Liverpool.

Blackburn have won just two games this season, neither away from home, and will be looking to capitalise on United’s injury problems to snatch a point.

Morten Gamst Pedersen and Yakubu have been Blackburn’s only bright sparks this season with Pedersen in strong form and Yakubu scoring 10 league goals from 12 games.

Blackburn have conceded 39 goals so far this season – the second worst defence in the league – but with Christopher Samba back they should be tighter at the back, although Kean is still hoping New Zealander Ryan Nelsen can return alongside the Congolese centre back.