MANCHESTER United strengthened their grip on the Premiership title after Paul Scholes broke Blackburn's hearts for the second time this season.

England midfielder Scholes grabbed two typically opportunist goals just as he had at Ewood in January when United knocked Rovers out of the Worthington Cup at the semi-final stage.

But things might have been different had David Dunn converted a second half penalty for the visitors.

Alex Ferguson's Reds had taken a 20th minute lead when Ruud Van Nistelrooy headed home a David Beckham cross for his 38th goal of the season.

But Rovers fought back and got back on level terms five minutes later when Henning Berg embarrassed Fabien Barthez with a looping header which nestled inside the far post.

However, United crucially regained the lead four minutes before the break when Scholes hammered home a shot from 10 yards after Brad Friedel had pushed out a Phil Neville cross.

The real turning point as far as Rovers were concerned came in the 47th minute.

Substitute keeper Ricardo, who had replaced Barthez at half-time, pulled down Andy Cole in the box but then redeemed himself by saving Dunn's spot-kick.

United made the most of that break by effectively killing the game off 13 minutes later.

Giggs dispossessed Cole before sending Van Nistelrooy away and the Dutchman crossed for Scholes to score at the near post.

United had several late chances to boost their goal-difference as Friedel twice denied the irrepressible Van Nistelrooy.

FA BARCLAYCARD PREMIERSHIP: MANCHESTER UNITED V BLACKBURN ROVERS, Old Trafford, April 19, 2003

FULL-TIME: UNITED 3 ROVERS 1

HALF-TIME: UNITED 2 ROVERS 1

Today's teams...

United: Bathez, P Neville, Ferdinand, Beckham, Butt, Van Nistelrooy, Giggs, Scholes, Brown, Fortune, Silvestre. Subs: Ricardo, G Neville, Keane, Solskjaer, Forlan

Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Tugay, Short, Flitcroft, Dunn, Cole, Duff, Yorke, Berg, Gresko. Subs: Kelly, Taylor, Grabbi, Sukur, Todd