Match Pack: Blackburn

After stuttering at Anfield, the Reds aim to get back on track against struggling Rovers...

Form guide Blackburn haven't won on the road in the league this season, and they're leaking an alarming number of goals. A 3-2 triumph in the derby against Burnley, which came between a 6-2 defeat to Arsenal and last weekend's 5-0 hammering at Chelsea, provides some hope, as has their 5-2 midweek victory over Peterborough in the Carling Cup. But 15 goals conceded in the last four games is hardly the best preparation for a trip to OT. United on the other hand, have dropped points in two of the last three league games, and will be desperate to get last Sunday's Anfield defeat out of the system.

Manager Good friend of Sir Alex, Sam Allardyce has a big job on his hands at Ewood Park, not least with Blackburn sitting uncomfortably in 16th place in the league. That said, just five points separate Wigan in 10th and Hull in 18th places, so they could easily climb the table if Big Sam can cure Rovers' leaky defence. He's not been in contact with his players this week as he feels the affects of a virus. Rovers are trying to contain an outbreak of swine flu, so Sam sat in the stands for their win over Posh.

Ins and outs Blackburn have seemingly restricted the swine flu problem, with defender Christopher Samba still struggling. But Rovers say they are monitoring the situation day-by-day. Right-back Pascal Chimbonda (calf) and midfielder Vince Grella (thigh) are also doubts. United will be without Ji-sung Park (knee) while Darren Fletcher has yet to play since injuring his foot on international duty with Scotland.

Star man David Dunn. He's scored five goals in eight games playing 'in the hole' just behind the strikers this season, and doing it to great effect. He was one of those who came down with a virus this week, but came on as a substitute against Peterborough and will be the main threat on Saturday.

Referee Phil Dowd. First United match he's officiated this season. His last game in charge of United was our 2-0 defeat to Fulham in March last year, in which he sent off Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney.

Rivals watch Arsenal v Tottenham, Sat 12:45 BST; Bolton v Chelsea, 15:00; Fulham v Liverpool, 15:00; Birmingham v Man City, Sun 16:00.

Good Evans, says Rio

Rio Ferdinand has labelled young Reds centre-half Jonny Evans "fantastic" and claims the Northern Irishman made the right decision to stay at United, despite no guarantees of regular football.

Evans was a prime target for Sunderland last summer after impressing in the Championship during a loan spell at the Stadium of Light. But he opted to remain at Old Trafford, where Ferdinand says he's blossomed into a top-class defender.

"He's a fantastic young player," Rio Ferdinand told the Press Association. "For centre-halves it's always difficult to see the best of them at early ages. There's always a chance of them making mistakes but Jonny keeps that to a minimum.

"He's got a cool head on his shoulders. He's sat back and watched for a few years when he was younger. He went to Sunderland, did very well and they wanted to buy him, for obvious reasons.

"But he stuck to his guns, stayed here and last season he had opportunities to play. When he did so, he was fantastic."

And it wasn't just the odd Carling Cup game, either. Evans made 24 appearances in 2008/09, providing valuable cover for the established central-defensive pairing of Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

But Evans, a full international and one of the game's most exciting defensive prospects, could easily have been lured by regular football elsewhere had Ferdinand not offered the youngster some valuable advice.

"I spoke to him in pre-season last year in South Africa," Rio said. "He was at a stage where he wanted to play every week. He'd been doing that the season before at Sunderland and he didn't want to come back and play for the Reserves again. He wanted to play first-team football.

"It's the same argument for any young player: Do you want to go and play for mid-table team or do you want to be in the squad of a team where you're going to get chances to play in a title-winning or European Cup-winning team?

"When you look at it like that it's a bit of a no-brainer. The manager didn't want to let him go anyway, but I think Jonny came round to
thinking that it was better to be a part of the squad and play when the opportunities came."

Michael's delight at debut goal

Report by Gemma Thompson
www.manutd.com



Michael Owen was all smiles after he struck his first goal in a red shirt and ensured victory for United in Kuala Lumpur.

The 29-year-old striker made his debut in United's opening Asia Tour game as a 61st minute substitute and hit the winner five minutes from full-time, pouncing on a loose ball after Ryan Giggs had been tackled in the area.

Owen was delighted to open his account for the Reds and hopes it will be the first of many.

"It was a really nice feeling [to score]," he told MUTV. "You train for weeks in preparation for that all-important first game and to score on your debut feels great.

"It's always nice to get off the mark, not just when you join a new club but any time. I was sat chatting to Wayne [Rooney] in the dressing room afterwards and he feels the same way after getting off the mark for the season.

"It's obviously doubly good for me with it being my first goal for the club, and even though it won't really count in the grand scheme of things, it does make you feel better. Hopefully I can score a lot more."

After a bright opening period, United were made to work hard for their 3-2 victory by a determined and energetic Malaysian XI. Owen felt the team performed well in the hot conditions and expects further improvements to follow.

"It was very hot out there. We've played in these conditions before and you just have make sure you prepare properly and do the right things afterwards to recover for the next game," he explained.

"I think the fans saw a good match today and hopefully we can put in some more good performances."

Club cancels Indonesia visit

Following the explosions in Jakarta – one of which was at the hotel the team were due to stay in – and based on advice received, the Directors have informed the Indonesian FA that the Club cannot fulfil the fixture in Jakarta on the 2009 Asia tour.

We are working on a revised itinerary outside Indonesia with the promoters, and will make a further announcement when these decisions have been made.

We are deeply disappointed at not being able to visit Indonesia and thank the Indonesian FA and our fans for their support.

Our thoughts go to all those affected by the blasts.

Club statement ends.

Speaking at a press conference shortly after arriving in Kuala Lumpur, Sir Alex Ferguson said: "It was a shock. We got the news just as we landed and it’s very disappointing.

"The Indonesian FA have worked very hard to get us over there and it’s a terribly big disappointment for them. There’s no other decision we could have taken in regards to the safeguarding of our players. We feel we’ve made the right decision."

Club captain Gary Neville echoed his manager's sentiments:

"We’re all disappointed not to get the opportunity to go to Indonesia. One of the great things about playing for this club is the chance you get to play in different countries and meet our fans from around the world. The players are as disappointed as everybody else."