Old Trafford Sunday, 11 November
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
UNITED will be without striker Wayne Rooney for the clash with Blackburn after he injured an ankle in training.
The England international left the club's Carrington base on crutches, meaning he will not feature against Rovers at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Gary Neville is still unlikely to figure against Rovers despite having made a comeback in the reserves.
The only other absentees are those with long term-injuries - Mikael Silvestre, Paul Scholes, Park Ji-sung and Ben Foster.
Ahead of the game Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has spoken of his admiration for Sir Alex Ferguson - but is confident of outsmarting his one-time mentor this weekend.
Ferguson this week celebrated 21 years in charge at Manchester United but shows no sign of slowing down.
Yet Rovers are also enjoying a strong run of form and travel to Old Trafford on Sunday unbeaten away and only five points behind United with a game in hand.
Former United striker Hughes, who has long been tipped to succeed Ferguson one day, said: “It is fantastic what he has done and is doing.
“It is a remarkable feat that he has been able to keep going and keep the energy and enthusiasm for the game that he has. Football is his life and he has still got that drive he has had form the outset.
“By all accounts he has mellowed a bit from my time when I was a player, but maybe that comes from being so successful.
“It’s a big ask going to Manchester United, they are playing exceptionally well, as we are, but it will be very different to overcome them in the form they have been showing.
“Defensively they are rock solid and it will take a good side to overcome them - but we feel we are a good side.
“We have gone up against three out of the big four and come out of them unbeaten so there is no reason we cannot go to Old Trafford and get a positive result.
“We couldn’t be going there in better circumstances given the run we’re on. Something’s got to give, let’s hope it’s United.”
Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, Evans, Evra, Simpson, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson, Fletcher, Eagles, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Saha, Tevez.
Blackburn Rovers (from) : Friedel, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Emerton, Bentley, Dunn, Tugay, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, McCarthy, Derbyshire, Brown, Khizanishvili, Treacy.
Last season: United 4 Blackburn 1
Key opponent: David Bentley - Probably the best crosser in the league and has a good record against United
Prediction: United 1 Blackburn 0 - Rooney's injury is a blow, but if the Reds can keep it tight at the back they should overcome this tough test
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