Manchester Utd 2-0 Blackburn
Rooney rounded off his side's win with his seventh goal of the season
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Manchester United moved to within two points of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Blackburn.
Sir Alex Ferguson was without defensive duo Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, however Blackburn failed to test their replacements Wes Brown and Jonny Evans, managing to hit just one effort on target late on.
United were frustrated by Blackburn's deep lying defence in the first-half but took the lead ten minutes after half-time thanks to Dimitar Berbatov's powerful volley.
Wayne Rooney secured the victory late on, but Ferguson will be aware his side's form must improve if they are to threaten Chelsea in their next league game.
Blackburn set themselves up to frustrate their hosts from the kick-off by defending deep whilst hitting long, high balls to test United's makeshift defence.
The champions struggled to threaten Blackburn's goal, although when Berbatov's flicked cross was missed by Chris Samba, Antonio Valencia was given a chance to test Paul Robinson but shot wide.
Sam Allardyce's team were unable to cause Brown and Evans any problems with Di Santo completely isolated from his midfield.
United's best chance came when Valencia whipped in a cross for Berbatov from the right. The Bulgarian was unmarked but headed downwards into the ground and Robinson was able to tip the ball over the bar.
Berbatov hit a low 25-yard drive minutes later after a good lay off from Rooney, but Robinson denied him again, stretching to palm the ball away from danger.
United continued to dominate possession after the restart but they looked laboured in attack and a general lack of quality in the final third meant they were creating little.
However the deadlock was broken by a piece of individual skill from Berbatov. The Bulgarian controlled Patrice Evra's low cross with one touch before swivelling and smashing the ball past Robinson.
Gabriel Obertan replaced the ineffectual Nani with an hour gone and had a great chance when he was released by Anderson but sent a weak shot straight at Robinson after cutting inside Ryan Nelsen.
The young Frenchman had the perfect opportunity to score on his Premier League debut as the final whistle approached, but when Valencia cross broke to him at the back post he shot wide with only Robinson to beat.
Rooney made no mistake moments later though as he met Anderson's cross to guide the ball into the net for his seventh goal of the season and round off a comfortable victory for the champions.