Typical United Win It Late

Manchester United moved five points clear on Monday night in trademark style with two goals inside the final 10 minutes seeing them defeat Blackburn 2-0.

It was typical United, and the persistent performance of a champion side. For so long, it seemed they may struggle to claim the points, with keeper David de Gea keeping struggling Rovers, who won earlier this season at Old Trafford, at bay.

However, Antonio Valencia popped up with a fine angled strike to put them ahead with 10 minutes to play, before Ashley Young added a second on 85 minutes.

“It was a long night, we had to persevere and persevere and we got our reward in the end but I have to admit that I thought for a long time it wouldn’t come because we didn’t make many clear-cut chances,” Ferguson said.

“That goal [from Valencia] is so important and it perhaps typifies the history of this club that we kept going and got our reward in the end. Scoring so late, it’s typical of us, our history. We never stop trying, there’s no question about that. It could be a very important moment.”

Indeed, it was a very ‘United’ kind of victory. While other sides might have got frustrated, United excelled.

It’s only a few weeks ago that Manchester City found themselves in the exact same situation and came undone. The Sky Blues were 0-0 at Swansea after 80 minutes. In the end, there was no winner for City, let alone point. Luke Moore popped up for a late winner for the Welsh side.

Now United are five clear, and it’s possible the Manchester derby won’t matter.

Ferguson added: “The important thing now is to win Sunday’s game [against QPR]. But listen, they are all big games now. It doesn’t matter if it is next Sunday, the following Wednesday [at Wigan], the Sunday after that [against Villa], they are all big ones.

“The players are prepared for that. We will fight right to the end in all the games for the right to win.”