FRIEDEL: Kept United at bay almost single-handed in the second half with a string of world class saves.

9

LUCAS

NEILL: Didn't look comfortable against Ronaldo and struggled to cut out crosses.

6

DOMINIC

MATTEO: Yet another new position for the versatile defender and he did a decent job at left-back.

7

LORENZO

AMORUSO: Unlucky to get sent off. The first was harsh to say the least.

7

CRAIG

SHORT: Relished his physical battle with Alan Smith but Louis Saha's pace caused him problems.

7

TUGAY: Worked his socks off but occasionally guilty of conceding possession too easily.

6

BARRY

FERGUSON: Didn't waste a pass in the first half but he was left fighting fires after the sending off.

8

DAVID

THOMPSON: Your heart goes out to the former Liverpool star.

6

MORTEN GAMST

PEDERSEN: A difficult game for his debut - could have been the match-winner.

for Rovers had he converted a golden second half chance.

6

JONATHAN

STEAD: Probably his best performance of the season so far.

7

PAUL

DICKOV: A stunning first half strike that shook up United.

8

SUBS: BRETT EMERTON (for Thompson, 17) Caused plenty of problems with his pace. 8

DWIGHT YORKE (for Stead, 64) Might have worked harder. 5

NISSA JOHANSSON (for Dickov, 72) Thrust in at the deep end. 6

NOT USED: DE PEDRO, ENCKELMAN

HERO:

Brad Friedel showed just why he's one of the best keepers in the world

with a host of exceptional saves to deny United

VILLAIN:

Was the fourth official cajoled into awarding more injury time than was necessary?

VERDICT:

Rovers came within 10 seconds of beating United at Ewood for a third successive season until Alan Smith's controversial late leveller

knocked the home fans sick