Preview: Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United

Stuart Mathieson

August 27, 2004

JONATHAN Spector will get a vote of confidence from Sir Alex Ferguson and make his Premiership debut at Blackburn Rovers tomorrow (12.45).

The Manchester United boss gave the 18-year-old American his first Champions League start at Old Trafford against Dinamo Bucharest on Wednesday and is sticking with the defender in the left back role at Ewood Park.

Roy Keane's stint as an emergency central defender came to an abrupt end when he became a victim of cracked ribs and with Rio Ferdinand still suspended, Quinton Fortune injured, and new boy Gabriel Heinze still on Olympic duty with Argentina, it has left Fergie struggling.

"We are down to the bare bones at the back but they were solid against Dinamo Bucharest and I will be sticking with the same back four," he said.

Spector will line up again as full back with Gary Neville, and Mikael Silvestre and John O'Shea will be the central defensive unit.

It had been expected Phil Neville might add Premiership experience at left back but he has been overlooked for his first start of the season in that berth at least.

"Phil prefers the right side and he has a great liking now for the midfield," Ferguson added.

Louis Saha will be involved at Ewood and against Everton at Old Trafford on Monday.

Key opponent: Dwight Yorke - will have plenty to prove against his former employers - if he gets on.

Last season: Blackburn 1 Manchester United 0

Prediction: Blackburn 0 Manchester United 2

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Smith, Norway (27/08/2004 at 09:56)

Spector seemed better than Fortune has ever been at left back and deserves a place in the team given the current squad-situation. I hope Fergie finds room for Kleberson in the team - we could use some flair against the Savage.

GAZ, NORTH STAND (27/08/2004 at 10:34)

Little surprised to hear that Spector will hold his place for saturday because i also thought he might bring PN back but that said i have every confidence in Spector who is going to be a very good player. PN does seem to have fallen out of favour somewhat at OT hasn't he allthough must admit i dont like to see him playing in midfield as he is to limited for that role, If you look at the squad i would say he is 6/7 choice in centre midfield now behind Keane, Scholes, Djemba (who i think has done well so far this year playing as the holding midfielder, sometimes he may switch off or be little loose with passing but got great potential) Kleberson (I actually expecting him to make make a big impact this year) Fletcher and Miller. If this is correct then it seems PN is now simply cover for when GN is out which makes you wonder if we should really be paying him 40 grand a week. The problem is as we are all aware and the above proves we are overstocked in central midfield while seriously short of wide players which means players like Fletcher, Miller possibly Kleberson are asked to play wide when CR or RG are rested but i think they all struggle because it isn't natural to them. We should of bought a skillfull wide player this summer to balance the squad but this is a defo. non starter now we are chasing Rooney.

Alias Smith, over the moon (27/08/2004 at 11:05)

Fergie has done that a couple of times now - made early announcements about certain players starting games. It can only do their confidence good & I think JOS & Spector will show the benefit of that against Blackburn.

NEIL, STALYBRIDGE (27/08/2004 at 11:37)

THIS GUY IS SPECIAL

Leigh, LH (27/08/2004 at 12:19)

Could anyone put my mind at easy. Due to all our injuries how come PN is not being picked. Over the last 2 seasons he has played quite a number of games. Although he's never gonna be a world beater hes a steady player with lots of determination and always good to have a laugh at but still unsure why hes not picked. Has he been a naughty boy or have the management come to their senses

Derrick, Bournemouth (27/08/2004 at 12:31)

I, like Gaz, am also perplexed by the PN issue. Why give the guy such a big new salary package [5years etc] and then say that he is not good enough to be ahead of an 18 year old in a position that he has [memorably!] played for England?

Big Bird, Salford (27/08/2004 at 13:01)

Didn`t ever think I`d say that a injury crisis could be a blessing in disguise, but with so many regulars out this is the only time our bit players and future 1st team players get a chance to shine. Spectre, Eagles and Richardson should again be in team along with DD and kleberson, lets take a chance, lets see can they make it once and for all and stop all of the infighting among us about the merits of such and such, without any concrete evidence. Time for the men to come out from the boys!
Yeah bye the way its great to be able to say we should have no problem turning over Blackburn.

Richard, Camberley (27/08/2004 at 13:11)

I think its time to give the very young players the chance, not only Spector, but also Pique from Bara, and also another 17 year old Italian from Roma, both come here with good reputation, why not give them the chance ? I think nowadays, there is no such term as 'young' players, as Owen, Rooney, CR are 17/18 when they became superstars. Look at Arsenal, they have introduced a few very exciting young players also 17/18, so why not us ?
I am sure we will have a good result with our group of youn g talents, I dont mind if not this season, just give them the chance.

SAL the KID, Oldham (27/08/2004 at 14:25)

These are the only games were Fergie can gamble and gave our youth a chance. Go the whole hog put a second team on,we`ll still win.

Mel Gibson, Manchester (27/08/2004 at 14:36)

Go on young Spector - may you keep Zinedine Neville out of the team for as long as possible! I agree with Gaz and think we may see good things from Kleberson this year as well. He always seems to be on hand to receive a pass and play it on - he seems to keep the team moving in the absence of Scholesy. He plays a few tasty passes, too (much like Seba Veron's very occasional moments of genius) - hopefully he can do this on a more regular basis.

Smith, Norway (27/08/2004 at 15:15)

Gaz, Derrick, I agree. I honestly couldn't believe it when I saw United are willing to spit out 50k a week for the Nevilles. I bet the board regrets it now...

colin, canada (27/08/2004 at 17:48)

I would field the strongest team possible against Blackburn and Everton and hope for a solid lead with 20 minutes to go so we can throw on the youngsters.
We can't afford any slip ups and 6 points is a must to get into third place and stay abreast of the arse and the ruskies. The arse have about four easy games on the trot so their record is going to be something else.
No slip ups please.

jerad, georgia, usa (28/08/2004 at 07:43)

that "17 year old italian" is actually an american as well. he grew up in new jersey and has american citizenship, but moved to italy when he was 14 to play in the youth teams of parma. his name is rossi and he has only played for italian youth national teams (qualifies as both parents are from italy), making him still eligible for the senior usa squad. hopefully, he'll change his mind and switch his allegiances to the states. ;)

oh, and good luck to jonathan. we're all very excited for him over here.

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