Preview: United v Blackburn

March 30, 2007

SIDELINED: Gary Neville

UNITED captain Gary Neville is expected to remain on the sidelines for another three weeks with ankle ligament damage.

Neville sustained the injury in the Red Devils' win over Bolton on March 17 and subsequently missed out on England's Euro 2008 qualification double-header against Israel and Andorra.

He was expected to return for the April 7 trip to Portsmouth but manager Sir Alex Ferguson now predicts his comeback will be delayed.

"The swelling has only just gone down on his ankle so the injury was maybe a bit worse than we thought in terms of the swelling," the boss told Manchester United Radio.

"But he has been doing some good work in the gym and I expect him to be back in the first team in three weeks' time."

Neville should now return either for the FA Cup semi-final against Watford on April 14 or the Premiership game against Sheffield United on April 17.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (knee) and Edwin van der Sar (calf) should return against Blackburn while Darren Fletcher (ankle) is still two weeks away from fitness.

Louis Saha has an outside chance of playing after recovering from a hamstring injury but is more likely to be rested until the clash with Portsmouth next week, and Paul Scholes is available again after suspension.

Blackburn winger David Bentley serves a one-match suspension and will be unavailable to boss Mark Hughes

Bentley was sent off for two bookable offences in a 2-1 defeat to West Ham a fortnight ago, but Aaron Mokoena is available following the completion of his own one-game ban.

Captain Ryan Nelsen is also available after missing the Hammers loss with a hamstring injury.

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Ferdinand, Vidic, Brown, Heinze, Evra, Park, Ronaldo, O'Shea, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Richardson, Eagles, Rooney, Smith, Dong, Solskjaer.

Blackburn Rovers (from): Friedel, Emerton, Henchoz, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Samba, Warnock, Berner, Mokoena, Tugay, Dunn, Pedersen, McCarthy, Roberts, Nonda, Brown, Derbyshire, Gallagher.

Last season: United 1 Blackburn 2

Key opponent: Benni McCarthy - Live wire striker has caused all sorts of problems to Premiership defences this season

Prediction: United 2 Blackburn 0 - Blackburn will struggle without their main creative threat, Bentley, and it should be a home win despite stubborn opponents

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

You can get 7/1 on United to win 2-1 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

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Demo, Glossop (30/03/2007 at 14:01)

a blow for nev to be out for another 3 weeks think we might especially miss him against roma! Good news that bentley is suspended i think they might struggle without him and predict a 3-1 win for united. goals from rooney, ronaldo and scholes. my line up VDS, GH, NV, RF, WB, RG, PS, MC, CR, WR and LS if he is fit otherwise JSP in mid and move giggs up

george (30/03/2007 at 14:30)

Every game seems like a tough match now,but if we meet them head to head and in the right frame of mind to win.We will win.Do it!

Gerry, Glastonbury (30/03/2007 at 15:57)

I think it will be a bit of mix & match team wise tomorrow but hopefully we'll win, though as always against Blackburn,it'll be close.
Scholes to score when fresh and let's hope Saha gets a run in time for Roma?
Any win will do as I can't see Watford helping us out tomorrow!

Alias Smith, over the moon (30/03/2007 at 17:14)

We've scored twice as many goals and conceded half as few as Blackburn so far this season, so my prediction is that we win by two goals to half a goal. Oh, alright then, 4-1.

de Meester, netherlands (30/03/2007 at 17:38)

We just must win!!!
As simple as that!!

Andy, Staffs, Staffs (30/03/2007 at 18:33)

Bit of a worrying fixture this one. We don't do very well after an international break. A 0-0 draw is not an impossibility, particularly if Saha doesn't play and Rooney plays like he did for England.

Pepe (30/03/2007 at 18:59)

I agree with Gerry, let's give Saha some games in case Mr. Rooney keep his slump .Remember that we can meet Blackburn again at Wembley.

Pepe (30/03/2007 at 19:11)

Can someone please remove the springs hidden on Rooney's boots.

COLIN, CANADA, Canada (30/03/2007 at 19:16)

2-1 with a late goal from Pederson.
VDS, WB RF NV PE, Park, MC PS CR, RG AND WR.
WE NEED SPEED ON THE WINGS AND CARRICK AND SCHOLES BACK TOGETHER AGAIN. FORGET THE ROMA GAME. THIS TEAM HAUNTS US.

karma2007, rochdale,greater manchester (31/03/2007 at 12:00)

mmmmm a tough game usually credit to blackurn you cant let your guard down with this team,its got to be attack after attack,and i agree get saha playing.
Ill be watching gamst to see if hes the item we must put a bid in for .
Utd must go for this class player.
Result wise im happy with a win never mind the score,this team can be a bogey team and i think are more dangerous than chelsea,must keep on and on at them and keep the pressure on them all the time.1-0

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