Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce: Manchester United are not the same without Wayne Rooney

Rovers earned a draw against the three-time defending champions

12 Apr 2010 01:46:00

By Anthony Sciarrino

More On :  Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United, Wayne Rooney, Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce - Blackburn Rovers (PA)

Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce has claimed that Manchester United are not the same without star striker Wayne Rooney after his team held the Red Devils to a scoreless draw at Ewood Park on Sunday.

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With the England international on the sidelines Dimitar Berbatov and Federico Macheda were trusted with the attacking duties on Sunday.

But neither striker looked likely to get on the scoresheet, and United dropped two critical points in the Premier League title race.

Allardyce concluded that United are not as formidable when they don't have Rooney up front.

"Are they as good without Rooney? No they're not,” Allardyce told The Sun.

"Statistics tell you that their third-biggest scorer is own goals - and that's very unlike United.

"I don't think we rattled Berbatov. We made a contact on him as we needed to early on. You can't let a player as good as him get on the ball.

"You have to get tight on his first touch and close him down.

"Is he easy to defend against? I don't think so. Perhaps the finishing's not there but the creativity is."

The draw is a big blow to United’s hopes of winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title, but the result is not surprising considering Blackburn’s record against top four teams this season.

Liverpool, Chelsea and now Manchester United have only managed to earn a draw at Ewood Park, and the Blackburn boss is proud of their ability to play tough at home.

"We were outstanding. This home record is looking very good now.

"We've had Chelsea here twice - once in the Cup, once in the League - and they have not beaten us.

"Liverpool have been here and not beaten us and now Manchester United have not beaten us either.

"It shows how much we've grown in stature this season after a difficult start, with so many changes in the summer.

"Real credit must go to the players for their organisation, defence and resilience.”

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