7 UP
United 2 Blackburn 1

Saturday's victory over Rovers proved pivotal against Rovers, and no walk in the park (as always assumed). Blackburn played with scrappy abandon, and could have beaten United, save for a few offside traps and pesky wooden posts to contend with.

But they triumphed, as champions often do. . Let's not forget they are defending European champions. And now that they're 7 points clear of Cesspool, they're favored to retain their title.

GOSSIP GIRL
The special one's at it again. Not satisfied with a mere match, Mourinho's head games have blossomed in the Italian sun. Of course Inter's confidence is soaring after Saturday's 2-1 win over Bologna (not to mention last weekend's Milan victory) and their dominance at the top the cosa nostra, or Serie A, seems a done deal.

"Manchester United are not a better team than us," Mourinho said. "I have played 12 times in the last few years against Manchester United, so I know their qualities, I know their players."
Inter is a damn good side. They're no Barcelona, but who is? They're the side to beat, fear, and ultimately loath. Within a few short months is will all be done and dusted. May the best Mancunian football club win.

DERBY DELIGHT
United travel to Pride Park. Again.

The yo-yo Rams are United's next opponent in the 5th round of the FA Cup. This is a side United can easily dominate. It's also a side easily overlooked. So focus and fitness are once again top of mind. For what it's worth, the red scouscers are out of the cup competition. The blue scouscers, in.

First things first. Away at Hammers this weekend. Never as easy as it sounds. But I caught the home leg of this clash standing and screaming in the Stretford End. Delicious. I predict a 2 nil defeat by United.

Now back to the rant. How could Liverpool be so foolish as to sell Robbie Keene back to Spurs, leaving their side with one (albeit brilliant) injury-prone striker in Fernando Torres? Seems lame.


But there's so much going on behind the scenes at Anfield, we'll never know the real story. Now Keene's in the position to score against Arsenal at the weekend. That would gut two hateful teams with one strike.

Then there's Chelski. They're fading faster than Amy Winehouse's secret tar stash. What they need is, well, José Mário dos Santos Félix Mourinho: yes, the bratty, special, little, one. Baring that, they haven't a prayer.

So bring on West Ham. Bring on Derby. Bring on the treble.