Wayne Rooney may not have enjoyed it much, but Manchester United's hard-fought 1-0 victory over Blackburn could prove priceless.

Rooney missed two sitters and was booked for dissent in a frustrating game for the England striker, but United will take huge satisfaction from this result, settled thanks to Louis Saha's 64th-minute finish.

United's first league win at Blackburn since 1998 and their sixth successive Premiership win ensured they stay three points ahead of Chelsea at the top of the table.