Dimitar Berbatov's second-half volley helped to set up a stuttering Manchester United win over Blackburn.

United's new look defence had few problems and after being twice denied early on, Berbatov flicked up Patrice Evra's skewed shot to score the opener.

Wayne Rooney doubled the lead after 87 minutes, cracking in an Anderson cross with an exquisite half-volley.

Blackburn's Nikola Kalinic was unlucky to have a late strike ruled offside as Michael Owen missed from close range.

It will be a welcome three points for boss Sir Alex Ferguson arriving soon after their 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield and also keeps them breathing down the necks of table-topping Chelsea.

But for large periods, they struggled to break down a hard-working but unadventurous Blackburn side, playing with defender Christopher Samba and David Dunn, both having recovered from swine flu.

The Old Trafford faithful were barely vocal in the opening half an hour with neither team doing little to threaten a goal, apart from a mistimed volley from Antonio Valencia.

United - with only one clean sheet to their name this season - fielded centre-halves Wes Brown and Jonny Evans - in for the injured Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand - but it was their front men who were the busier pairing.

Striker Berbatov was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Gael Givet and then he nodded down Valencia's curling cross from the right, but Paul Robinson was equal to it and tipped it over the bar.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce - another one to recover from illness - spent increasing amounts of time screaming at his players to push forward as their opponents looked intent on grabbing the opener before the interval.

After Berbatov had a shot turned round the post, he then finally had the ball in the net after the move of the half involving Nani and Rooney, only to be denied by the offside flag.

Nine minutes into the second period a huge smile appeared on the face of the Bulgarian as he broke the deadlock with a sublime piece of skill inside the box.

Evra burst down the left and after his weak shot skidded across the box, Berbatov flicked the ball up, turned on the spot and volleyed superbly low into the net to bag his fourth of the season.

With the hosts more relaxed, substitute Gabriel Obertan - on for Nani - almost made it a sensational Premier League debut as he picked up the ball in the box but shot inexplicably wide.

With three minutes remaining, the points were safe as Anderson drove the ball into the box for Rooney to caress it into the net with a delightful left-foot half-volley.

There was still time for Blackburn - trying to avoid their 10th successive away defeat in the league - to be harshly denied a consolation goal.

Benni McCarthy's shot was well saved by Edwin van der Sar and substitute Kalinic fired into the net with the referee's assistant waving for offside.

The last piece of action fell to Michael Owen but after a selfless pass from Valencia, the England striker dragged his shot wide.


Source: BBC