Sir Alex: Patience Paid Off

Sir Alex Ferguson felt United reaped fair dividends for another show of supreme patience against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Superb late strikes from Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young capped a steely showing of resilience from the reigning champions, who broke down the hosts' massed ranks to move five points clear of Manchester City as a result.

Speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, Sir Alex smiled: "It was a long night, wasn't it? We just had to persevere and persevere, and in the end we got our reward for it.

"Coming so late in the game, [Valencia's opener] is important because it typifies the history of the club in a way. There was amazing power in the shot. It could've been a cross, could've been a shot. It doesn't matter."

Despite the unexpected nature of United's five-point cushion, established after City's shock draw with Sunderland, the manager is focused only on QPR's visit to Old Trafford, rather than the bigger picture.

"We've still got seven games left and my experience of these situations is that it doesn't matter what the points total is at the moment; what is really important is trying to win Sunday's game," he said.

"We've scored more goals now and that's a big step forward for us. From a deficit of about eighteen, it's now only one. It could come to goal difference, who knows? Now we've scored more goals than City, it's significant. We look as if we can score."