Football Commentary: Ferguson plays mind games

Just when it seemed that the champions' schedule was full to lung- bursting point, Alex Ferguson has managed to cram in another, oddly familiar fixture: Manchester United against the world.

For in the wake of a 3-2 victory at Blackburn that flattered the home side, Ferguson reiterated his belief that jealousy of United was a prime factor in the Premier League's refusal to grant his European Cup contenders an extension to the season.

Was he concerned, one scribe wondered, that by using such a pejorative term he might be making United less popular? Ferguson scoffed and snorted, as if admiration of English football's outstanding contemporary side was unknown beyond Old Trafford. "How unpopular do you want us to get?" came the rhetorical retort.

The off-the-record diatribe that followed, in highly emotive language, offered an insight into the terminology Ferguson might use behind closed doors during the build-up to next Saturday's potential Premiership decider at Anfield. He believes that Liverpool, as well as Arsenal, have hypocritically conspired against United out of self-interest.

The United manager's psychological warfare is becoming, like the first cuckoo, an annual indication that spring has sprung. Although he has a just case on this occasion, one suspects his indignation over having to play four times in nine days continues to be vented less in expectation of changing anyone's opinion than with the intention of firing his players with a sense of injustice.

The Glaswegian's penchant for mind games dates back to his mould-shattering spell in charge of Aberdeen. As Mark McGhee has recalled, he unified his squad by convincing them that the Scottish FA, the West of Scotland media and the Old Firm were all determined to do them down.

Given this background, plus the spats with Kevin Keegan a year ago and Arsene Wenger last week, it is tempting to read manipulative intent into Ferguson's ostensibly innocent remarks. By suggesting that Arsenal now needed to win some "really important games", as opposed to one against leg-weary Leicester, was he seeking to sow seeds of doubt at Highbury?

And when he added that Arsenal had "the nervous games to come", it sounded more like an attempt to induce pressure than a prediction.

Similarly, his claim that Liverpool remained "the biggest threat" prompted the thought that the words were probably meant for internal consumption. United could easily be lulled into underrating Roy Evans' side after recent poor results.

Yet as a sage once said, just because you're paranoid it doesn't mean they're not out to get you. The fixture pile-up facing United is absurd - although changing the rules at this stage would be a classic case of two wrongs trying to make a right - while the hostility awaiting them at Liverpool will be anything but imaginary.

After Anfield and Elland Road, Ewood Park is the venue which gives most credence to Ferguson's "jealousy" thesis. A German flag in the crowd was a reminder both of United's unfinished business with Borussia Dortmund and the acrimony which has festered since Blackburn's title of two years ago.

Kenny Dalglish's champions conceded a double to United. This defeat left them with one point from six meetings. They are still at least three short of safety - with a trip to Arsenal to come next weekend.

Shorn of Alan Shearer, Blackburn are a prosaic outfit; good enough to stay up, but way short of the quality necessary for a renewed challenge under Roy Hodgson. The caretaker manager, Tony Parkes, betrayed a surprisingly defeatist attitude in his post mortem, arguing that they would have been "dreaming" to imagine they could outplay United.

Parkes' damage-limitation strategy, which overlooked United's vulnerability after their European exertions, entailed using Kevin Gallacher in a deep, wide role. In his previous two games the striker had scored twice for Scotland and rattled Leeds' bar. Here he looked to have been told to contain Phil Neville.

Ferguson, in contrast, trusted in refreshingly positive instincts, restoring Andy Cole to a line-up brimming with attackers. Driven on by the increasingly dynamic Nicky Butt, United duly scored twice in the first half, hit the woodwork twice and wasted a penalty when Tim Flowers saved Eric Cantona's weak kick.

Yet in between beautifully crafted and ruthlessly executed goals by the revitalised Cole and Paul Scholes, there was ominously unconvincing goalkeeping by Raimond Van der Gouw. An ill-judged punch invited an equaliser by Billy McKinlay, offering hope to Scousers and Dortmunders should Peter Schmeichel fail to recover.

Whether or not the motivation stemmed from anger, it was there in abundance. Cole, supplying searing pace in the absence of Ryan Giggs, set up the killing third goal for Cantona. The surge to the byline was characteristic; the composed cut-back an encouraging new facet.

The lack of concentration which cost United dear against Derby resurfaced to gift Paul Warhurst a consolation, and it was as well that Van der Gouw held Per Pedersen's free header in stoppage time. Two needlessly dropped points, on top of the news that Leicester had fielded a weakened team at Highbury, would have given Ferguson ample cause for a persecution complex.

Goals: Cole (32) 0-1; McKinlay (35) 1-1; Scholes (42) 1-2; Cantona (81) 1-3; Warhurst (87) 2-3.

Blackburn Rovers (4-5-1): Flowers; Kenna, Berg, Hendry (Pearce, 84), Le Saux; Gallacher (Pedersen, 79), Sherwood, McKinlay, Flitcroft (Donis, 79), Wilcox; Warhurst. Substitutes not used: Bohinen, Given (gk).

Manchester United (4-3-1-2): Van der Gouw; G Neville, Pallister, Johnsen, P Neville; Keane, Scholes (Beckham, 89), Butt; Cantona; Solskjaer, Cole. Substitutes not used: McClair, Poborsky, Clegg, Gibson (gk).

Referee: M Bodenham (E Looe, Cornwall).

Bookings: Blackburn: Kenna, Hendry. Manchester United: Scholes, P Neville.

Man of the match: Cole. Attendance: 30,476.