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Preview: Manchester United vs. Blackburn Rovers

Preview: Man United vs. Blackburn
© PA Photos
Both Manchester United and Blackburn are struggling with long injury lists and are expected to put out makeshift XIs for their New Year's Eve lunchtime fixture.

After securing a point at Anfield in their last outing, Blackburn Rovers face another tough away trip to Manchester United this Saturday afternoon.

United are the in-form side in the Premier League with five consecutive wins including two 5-0 triumphs in their last two outings over Wigan and Fulham.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson will again have to choose between the impressive Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea in goal, with the former featuring in the last two and keeping clean sheets in all five of his Premier League appearances this campaign.

In defence it's something of a lottery for Fergie as he may have to risk former Rover Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, with Jonny Evans likely to miss out after sustaining a calf injury. Michael Carrick is again expected to line up in the heart of defence to cover for the mounting injuries while Wayne Rooney may drop into midfield to help out.

Rovers boss Steve Kean is also suffering from a long injury list but may have the opportunity to welcome back Paul Robinson in goal, although Mark Bunn impressed last time out at Anfield. Junior Hoilett may also miss out because of a hamstring problem.

The good news for Rovers is that Martin Olsson could make a return after a hamstring injury and David Dunn is likely to shake off a problem.

Current Form:

Man Utd: DWWWWW
Blackburn: LWLLLD

Possible lineups:

Man Utd: Lindegaard; Valencia, Jones, Carrick, Park; Nani, Giggs, Gibson, Rooney; Berbatov, Hernandez

Blackburn: Bunn; Samba, Hanley, Henley, Pedersen; Lowe, N'Zonzi, Formica, Dunn; Hoilett, Yakubu

Sports Mole says: 3-0

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Written by
Pascal Lemesre

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