Cristiano Ronaldo's availability after suspension against Wolves on
Sunday, and the energetic Ji-Sung Park's return from international duty
offers the prospect of more potency on the flanks, but there remains a
void at the centre of the midfield.
Ferguson wrote in the match programme: 'I owe Manchester United my
foresight. I am not going to leave this club in a shambles when I go.'
The majority of his costlier signings over the last three years should
form part of his bequest to his successor - Rooney, Ronaldo, Park, Patrice
Evra and the debutant Nemanja Vidic.
Admiration for Scholes - whose future appears uncertain - may preclude
talk of successors, despite his uncertain future, but, in the short term
at least, United's problems are exacerbated by his absence. If he does not
return, the rebuilding process may need to be accelerated.
Thomas Gravesen's the name mentioned most frequently. Reports of renewed
interest in Michael Ballack make sense though it is hard to fathom why
Ferguson ever opted against the German (unless, of course, the Bayern
Munich man made the decision and preferred to go elsewhere). It is,
however, another test of the Glazers' finances and their confidence in
their manager.
Reflecting on his enforced substitution, Ferguson admitted: 'It was a bit
of a blow because Ryan, after Sunday, was going to be the leader of our
team tonight because Darren Fletcher and Kieran Richardson are two young
lads.
'They're very competitive players, sometimes argumentative, like their
manager. Their goalkeeper has been magnificent. Three of his saves were
out of this world. He kept them in this game.'
Mark Hughes was more concerned with Graham Poll's refereeing and two
penalty decisions - both in United's favour - at either end.
'Why the first one was given, I have no idea,' he said. 'Ours was more
blatant than theirs. We were all getting frustrated with the referee and
some of the Premiership referees enjoy their celebrity status and that's
dangerous.
'In the end, United went to five at the back - I don't think you see many
United teams do that at Old Trafford - which showed the effort we put in.'
MAN OF THE MATCH: Brad Friedel - Three world-class saves illustrated why
it is a shame he will not be going to the World Cup.
UNITED VERDICT: The banned Cristiano Ronaldo and the injured Ji-Sung Park
cannot return soon enough, but it will be interesting to see if Ferguson
fields three forwards again away at Wolves.
BLACKBURN VERDICT: The difference between the sides lay in the two forward
lines with Blackburn's, lacking the hamstrung Craig Bellamy, woefully
blunt. With Shefki Kuqi's honest toil bringing no reward, Hughes opted to
finish the game with a midfielder - Pedersen - up front instead.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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