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Preview: Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United

Stuart Mathieson
27/ 8/2004

JONATHAN Spector will get a vote of confidence from Sir Alex Ferguson and make his Premiership debut at Blackburn Rovers tomorrow (12.45).

The Manchester United boss gave the 18-year-old American his first Champions League start at Old Trafford against Dinamo Bucharest on Wednesday and is sticking with the defender in the left back role at Ewood Park.

Roy Keane's stint as an emergency central defender came to an abrupt end when he became a victim of cracked ribs and with Rio Ferdinand still suspended, Quinton Fortune injured, and new boy Gabriel Heinze still on Olympic duty with Argentina, it has left Fergie struggling.

"We are down to the bare bones at the back but they were solid against Dinamo Bucharest and I will be sticking with the same back four," he said.

Spector will line up again as full back with Gary Neville, and Mikael Silvestre and John O'Shea will be the central defensive unit.

It had been expected Phil Neville might add Premiership experience at left back but he has been overlooked for his first start of the season in that berth at least.

"Phil prefers the right side and he has a great liking now for the midfield," Ferguson added.

Louis Saha will be involved at Ewood and against Everton at Old Trafford on Monday.

Key opponent: Dwight Yorke - will have plenty to prove against his former employers - if he gets on.

Last season: Blackburn 1 Manchester United 0

Prediction: Blackburn 0 Manchester United 2


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Most recent 2 of 13 user comments

   that "17 year old italian" is actually an american as well. he grew up in new jersey and has american citizenship, but moved to italy when he was 14 to play in the youth teams of parma. his name is rossi and he has only played for italian youth national teams (qualifies as both parents are from italy), making him still eligible for the senior usa squad. hopefully, he'll change his mind and switch his allegiances to the states. ;)

oh, and good luck to jonathan. we're all very excited for him over here.
jerad, georgia, usa
28/08/2004 at 07:43

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   I would field the strongest team possible against Blackburn and Everton and hope for a solid lead with 20 minutes to go so we can throw on the youngsters. We can't afford any slip ups and 6 points is a must to get into third place and stay abreast of the arse and the ruskies. The arse have about four easy games on the trot so their record is going to be something else. No slip ups please.
colin, canada
27/08/2004 at 17:48

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