Yakubu Aiyegbeni Spoils Sir Alex Ferguson’s 70th Birthday Fun

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Yakubu Aiyegbeni scored his 12th goal of the season from the penalty spot after Christopher Samba was tugged down by Dimitar Berbatov in the 16th minute, and added a second to further stun the home crowd six minutes after half-time to put a final stop to the 70th birthday plans of coach Alex Ferguson.

Within just 23 seconds of Yakubu's second, Berbatov finished clinically with his head from close range to reduce the deficit, and the Bulgarian doubled his tally 10 minutes later to draw United level. But Blackburn were not to be denied and United were to see their defence breached once more as David De Gea floundered crucially as Grant Hanley beat the hapless Spaniard to a Morten Gamst Pedersen corner and headed into an empty net to clinch a stunning and improbable victory for Kean's men.

Wayne Rooney was not even named on the bench by birthday boy Sir Alex Ferguson as Javier Hernandez and Berbatov were partnered together in attack, while Rafael and Phil Jones returned in defence as United took on a Blackburn team lacking injured duo David Dunn and Junior Hoilett from the side that drew at Liverpool on Boxing Day.

The match was preceded by a choir rolling out a rather surreal rendition of Happy Birthday in tribute to Ferguson, and it was a very quiet start to the first half with a subdued atmosphere as United dominated the possession for no reward.

The Sun