Clinical United see off plucky Rovers - but is this really Fergie's best squad ever?

Blackburn came to Old Trafford on Sunday with a plan to stifle the Reds free-flowing football by getting stuck in, and for much of the opening period it looked like their plan might succeed as the visitors were marginally the better side. Samba's first half curling drive shaved the woodwork, but that was as close as Mark Hughes side came to scoring all afternoon.

Having overcome their early season lack of goals, United have been averaging four goals a game of late at Old Trafford, but minus injured Wayne Rooney who has been prolific, the questions most observers were asking was who would score the goals and how would the Reds cope without the England striker.

As expected Louis Saha started the game, but he had little impact, he played like a man who'd been the recipient of bad news, which he had as earlier on in the week Ferguson had confirmed to him what many - no doubt including the player already knew - that from now on, the Frenchman would be a substitute. Whether or not this was a wise decision is a mute point - don't all players need competition for places?

Fergie says that Louis took the news well. I find that very hard to believe personally. Apparently the manager explained his reasoning by saying it's because of his injuries. The thing is Saha has done well in his last two outings and has looked good when coming off the bench and has shown no signs of injury.

If Saha was sulking against Blackburn, Reds fans will be hoping that he soon snaps out of it, as Fergie's squad is going to be fully tested and strikers are of course thin on the ground.

Thankfully, the player of the season Ronaldo looks to be getting close to his lethal best in front of goal and he was the man who killed the game in the space of two first half minutes with a well taken brace.

The first was a towering header from an excellent Giggs corner from the left. Ronaldo's effort gave Friedal no chance as the American stopper was left helplessly rooted to his line as the ball powered into the top corner.

The second goal came from a typical United counter attack with the ball being moved quickly through midfield, Saha made his most telling contribution of the game when he played the ball to Tevez and the Argentine's incisive pass inside the box found Ronaldo who calmly slotted his second of the game which effectively ended the game as a contest.

Blackburn huffed and puffed, David Dunn got his marching orders for two yellow cards, much carping ensued, but those decisions had no bearing on the final outcome as there was no way back after Ronaldo's double salvo.

Once again Anderson and Hargreaves looked the part, they are working like Trojans in that engine room and Giggs had a very good game too, he looked like his old jinking self at times.

The back-four looks solid and so it comes and surprise to hear that the manager is today saying that this is his best ever squad. Others like me remain to be convinced about that statement.

In 1999 the Reds had four top strikers - that isn't the case right now. Added to which, and as good as good as the new midfield partnership is looking, isn't it a bit early to be suggesting that Hargreaves and Anderson are better than Keane and Scholes? Is Van der Sar really better than Schmeichel?

Whether or not he is being serious, one thing is for sure, if this squad starts slacking I'm fairly certain that the manager still has the fire in his belly. Fergie is still very much up for it and the players will know that too.

United 2-0 Blackburn

The rise and rise of the quiet man Mark 'Sparky' Hughes...

Later today United take on Blackburn Rovers who never give the Reds an easy ride, it is a game that both teams will be desperate to win, the Reds only need to draw to go top of the table, albeit until Arsenal play at Reading on Monday night.

It is of course a Lancashire derby and there's no love between the two clubs or supporters, that is apart from the fact that one of our all time greats is their manager, none other than the Welsh Dragon and the man of iron that is Mark Hughes.

Like all true Red legends he always gets a great reception by the faithful, win, lose or draw, Hughes will leave Old Trafford today with his reputation and standing among the fans very much in tact, it could well be further enhanced as Blackburn are playing some decent football and proving difficult to beat (apart from in Europe).

There's talk that Sparky could eventually go on to replace Fergie. There's no doubting that the quiet man his doing an excellent job, whether or not the United board view Hughes as a potential candidate to replace Fergie is a good question. Certainly among the fans he'd be a popular choice. Perhaps his lack of experience in Europe as a manager might been seen as a potential barrier. Time will tell.

As far as today is concerned United fans will be hoping that Brad Friedel doesn't have another brilliant game as he usually does against the Reds.

Saha, the man who was earlier in the week told that he faces bench warming duty for much of the season, comes in to replace injured Wayne Rooney.

Fergie is likley to start with his strongest side which should see both Hargreaves and Anderson filling the two central midfield slots, with either Giggs or Nani playing wide left.