Young savours vital win at Ewood Park as United leave it late to stretch lead
By Sportsmail Reporter
PUBLISHED: 21:30 GMT, 2 April 2012 | UPDATED: 22:06 GMT, 2 April 2012
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Winger Ashley Young hailed a 'massive' win for Manchester United as they beat Blackburn 2-0 to go five points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League.
United had to wait until the final 10 minutes to secure the win with Antonio Valencia crashing in from an acute angle before Young's turn and finish ensured the points soon after.
It meant United moved further clear of stuttering Manchester rivals City, who could see the gap extended to eight points before they travel to Arsenal on Sunday.
Late show: Young celebrates scoring United's second
'I think this was a massive game for us. We knew if we won we would go five points clear,' Young told Sky Sports 1.
'It was a great result, a great performance.'
The win was United's seventh league success on the spin as they have fully cashed in on City's struggles to take over the title race.
United next meet QPR, who moved out of the drop zone at the expense of Blackburn following tonight's result, at Old Trafford before City meet the Gunners later that day.
'It's crucial time in season. Everyone knows that,' said Young, who admitted Valencia's goal came as a relief.
'To get that goal, we knew it would come at some point, whether it was a shot or cross it went in the back of the net.'
Wing kings: Young and Valencia (left) both struck in the last 10 minuets
Valencia capped another impressive performance with a memorable goal, but asked whether it was a cross or shot, he joked: 'It was 50-50.'
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson denied that his side had now taken a decisive lead in the title race.
'We've still got seven games left. In my experience of these situations, it doesn't matter what the points are at the moment,' he said. 'It matters about next Sunday's game.'
The Scot admitted his team were made to work hard by a hard-working Rovers side.
'It was a long night. We had to persevere and persevere. We got our rewards,' he said.
'We weren't making any clear-cut chances for a long time. But it was an important win and it typifies the history of the club.'
Ferguson felt he was also indebted to goalkeeper David de Gea, who made three good saves in the first half to prevent his side from going behind.
'The progress is obvious for all to see,' he said. 'He's growing in stature and confidence. He made three great first-half saves.
'David kept us in the game. We had a lot of possession, but we just couldn't get that goal with the way Blackburn defended deep.'
Tricky: Steve Kean will not be too dismayed at the loss
Rovers boss Steve Kean saw his side drop into the bottom three but believes they showed enough to suggest they are capable of avoiding the drop.
'If we can play at that standard for next seven games - not for 80 mins but 90 - we'll get plenty of wins,' he said.
'We've got to take all the positives out of the first 80 minutes. We've got to set that standard.
'We were playing against the potential champions. I think for 80 minutes we gave it a really good go. Their goalkeeper has had a very good night.
'He's made good saves when we've had our little opportunities. I thought (Junior) Hoilett and Yakubu caused them problems.'
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