source ESPN
Sir Alex Ferguson is adamant Manchester United will not underestimate Blackburn Rovers, insisting they won’t let over-confidence bite them during the title run-in.
United head to Ewood Park to face relegation-threatened Blackburn on Monday, with the chance to open a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after arch-rivals Manchester City were held to a home draw against Sunderland on Saturday.
The form guide would suggest United should beat Blackburn with some ease, but Ferguson – perhaps mindful of the 4-3 home defeat his team suffered against the same opposition earlier in the season – insists sometimes these sort of games are the hardest for title-chasing sides to come through.
“We know how quickly football can turn on you and bite you,” said Ferguson. “You can look at all the fixtures and say all those teams are fighting for their lives. And they are the kind of games you know will be tight.”
United have not done well at Ewood Park in recent years, winning on just two of their last 11 visits. A late draw there last season did help them clinch the title; however, a goalless draw there in 2010 derailed their hopes of denying Chelsea the league crown.
“The game at Blackburn has always been a difficult match,” Ferguson agreed. “It is a local derby and tends to be a bit feisty.
“Last season we were lucky enough to come back from a goal down to win the league.
“But it will be a very difficult game. That is the way it is going to be from now until the end of the season.”