Giggs Seeking Quick Response

Ryan Giggs has urged his Manchester United team-mates not to beat themselves up over the shock defeat at Wigan.

A 1-0 defeat on Wednesday enabled Manchester City to reduce United's lead at the top of the Premier League to five points with five games remaining and with a derby at Eastlands still to come.

However, this is where Giggs intends United's extra experience to show and, just like after defeats to City and Basel, the veteran wants the response this time around to be a positive one.

"We don't have to get too down," he said. "It has happened quite a bit this season where there has been the odd display where we just haven't performed. The main thing is that we have recovered from it. That is what we have to do again."

United's task is made slightly easier by the fact their next two opponents - Aston Villa and Everton - must both be faced at Old Trafford, where they have terrible records.

"It is important that we get six points from the next two games," Giggs said. "We are at Old Trafford, we are at home. We will be looking to win both games and put the pressure on.

"We have had poor performances throughout the season and results but we have always bounced back."

There was plenty of controversy about Wigan, though both teams suffered. Victor Moses had a perfectly good goal ruled out, Shaun Maloney's superb matchwinner came from a corner that should have been a goal-kick, while Giggs was close enough to Phil Jones' cross being blocked by Maynor Figueroa to know that a major injustice was done to United when the penalty award was not forthcoming.

"I had a great view of the handball," Giggs said. "It was blatant. I asked the linesman but he said he didn't see it.

"You get some - and sometimes you don't. But if they even themselves out, we are probably owed a decision because we have had a couple go against us, with Newcastle and now this."

Yet, Giggs also conceded that "you make your own luck", and the onus will be on United to do just that on Sunday, by which time their lead might be cut to two points as City have a Saturday lunchtime date with Norwich at Carrow Road, knowing improvement must be swift and widespread.

"We didn't perform," Giggs said. "Our normal passing game wasn't as fluent and we kept giving the ball away. You have to give credit to Wigan. They put us under a lot of pressure, and we only had one or two shots on goal, which is also disappointing. We will have to look at the game, work on it and get ready for Sunday."

Valencia and Young Fire United to Victory

Late goals from Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young sent Manchester United five points clear at the top of the Premier League with victory over Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini had expressed the hope that Rovers would continue their sequence of just two defeats in 12 home league games against their north-west neighbours to breathe new life into the title race.

If he was watching, the Italian could have no complaints about Blackburn's performance, but after a succession of excellent saves from David de Gea, United finally made their own pressure tell, with Valencia breaking the deadlock ten minutes from time before Young added another.

The result also saw Rovers drop back into the bottom three on goal difference.

That is of little interest in Manchester, though.

City's failure to beat Sunderland on Saturday had created a fevered atmosphere amongst the 7,000-strong visiting contingent.

Having celebrated winning title number 19 in the corresponding fixture last term, they were ready to party again, believing a 20th was on the way.

And for 20 minutes it seemed the United players were ready to sweep Blackburn away on the tidal wave of support.

Valencia was an ever-present threat on the right flank and, whilst Wayne Rooney was operating from a position both wider and deeper than his most threatening, Javier Hernandez's movement caused Blackburn further concern.

The Mexican had already come close once when he nipped in at the near post to meet another low Valencia cross.

From less than six yards, it seemed a certain goal.

But somehow, Hernandez's effort came back off the base of a post and before the rebound bounced in, Paul Robinson had turned round and grabbed it.

As United poured forward and Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick found plenty of space in front of the Rovers' back four, it seemed just a matter of time before the visitors opened their account.

Carrick curled a shot over and had a penalty claim turned down.

Against his former club, Phil Jones misdirected a header wide, as did Patrice Evra.

Blackburn took heart from this unexpected reprieve and, buoyed by a combination of their excellent record in this fixture and two wins from their last three games, advanced themselves.

It was after a particularly dire performance in the Old Trafford encounter between these sides on New Year's Eve that De Gea was axed.

Such has been the dramatic improvement since then, though, that it was not much of a surprise when the Spain Under-21 star tipped a Junior Hoilett effort over.

Then, in a frantic final minute before the break, both Marcus Olsson and Grant Hanley - Blackburn's Old Trafford match-winner - were repelled.

Mancini: Title Could be over at Weekend

Roberto Mancini has admitted Manchester City's title hopes could be over by Sunday, if Premier League leaders Manchester United win their next two games.

City's 100% home record came to end with a 3-3 draw against Sunderland at the weekend, leaving Mancini's side two points behind United, who play Blackburn and QPR before City return to action against Arsenal next Sunday.

And according to Mancini, two wins would give United an unassailable lead. "If we go eight points behind, then it is finished," he told The Guardian.

However, the Italian is certain that United will not win at Ewood Park on Monday night and has urged his team to be ready to take advantage of any slip up from their title rivals.

"United will draw," Mancini said of United's match with Blackburn. "Do you want to bet with me? Even if they win, there are another seven games.

"I believe always that we will win the title and it is important that our players have concentration about this championship."

If both Manchester sides win all their upcoming matches then United could win the title with a derby victory at Eastlands on April 30.

That is something that Mancini is eager to avoid. "Before the derby it is important we recover two points," the City boss said.

Owen Confident he can Grab Vital Goal

Michael Owen is confident he can make the difference in the title race with a vital goal for Manchester United, as he prepares to return from injury for the conclusion of the season.

Owen has missed the last five months of action due to a thigh problem, but is almost ready for a return to the first team just as United look to hold off arch-rivals Manchester City over the closing stages of the campaign to claim the Premier League title.

Sir Alex Ferguson suggested this week that there is no better goal poacher for United to have in their ranks than a fully fit Owen, and the 32-year-old hopes he can justify his manager's faith with a pivotal strike over the next couple of months.

"Let's hope he's right. I know that if he's in need of a goal and he puts me on, then I'll certainly be hoping and thinking that I could do what he's said," Owen told The Sun. "It's been a tough few months, seeing the lads running out one way to the pitches and me walking another to the gym.

"The end is nearly in sight. I've just started training again so hopefully in a few weeks I'll be back and hopefully available for selection."

United are due to face City in a decisive league encounter at the Etihad Stadium at the end of April, a contest Owen is targeting with the ambition of making a decisive contribution.

Even if that does not transpire, Owen believes the experience the United squad can call upon may end up proving the most important factor.

"When the fixtures came out, you look at the Man City game third from the end of the season and think 'That's going to be a big game'," he added. "Now we're eight games from the end, it's looking like it's going to be an even bigger game.

"The lads have done fantastically well over the last couple of months. They've put together a great run of form and we're in a fantastic position.

"We're top of the league but it's going to be close - it's going to go down to the wire. But it's reassuring to look around our dressing room and see the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney.

"They are people that have been there, seen it, done it and are guided by a man that has won more titles than most. We're in a nice position and we're looking forward to the rest of the season."

Ferguson Backs Macheda

Sir Alex Ferguson still has faith in Manchester United striker Federico Macheda even though youngster has had yet another loan deal cut shot.

Macheda left for QPR in January optimistic he would prove he could cut it in the Premier League.

Unfortunately for the Italian, manager Neil Warnock was sacked within a matter of weeks and he never saw eye-to-eye with replacement Mark Hughes.

The 20-year-old had not made an appearance since coming on as a substitute at Aston Villa on February 1, although he did hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons when he was fined £15,000 by the Football Association for a posting a homophobic Tweet.

He also used the social networking site to express his displeasure at his treatment by Hughes and has now returned to United for an ankle operation that will end his season.

"He is so unlucky," Ferguson told MUTV.

"I have complete belief in the boy. He could be an outstanding player. But he needs football. We put him on loan to Sampdoria last January. He was there for two weeks, they sacked the coach and he doesn't get a game.

"We put him on loan to QPR. Two weeks later they sack the coach and he doesn't get a game. That has been really unfortunate.

"He has been bothered with his ankle a little bit over the last few weeks, so we have done the right thing to get an operation and hopefully he will be ready for next season.''

Fergie: Rovers Fans Must Have Regrets

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes that the majority of Blackburn Rovers fans that chose to protest against manager Steve Kean are now regretting their actions.

Kean came under intense scrutiny from sections of the supporters this season after a disappointing run of form, with a number of Blackburn's fans staging protests for the removal of the Scot.

However, Rovers have recently enjoyed an upturn in form that has lifted them out of the relegation zone, and Ferguson, whose side travel to Ewood Park on Monday, has come to the defence of his compatriot.

"I am sure a lot of them are saying to themselves 'I wish I hadn't done that'," Ferguson said of the Blackburn fans. "Things can change. You have to dig in and not let it get to you.

"Now no-one is talking about fans having protest marches. He has held his dignity very well and deserves 100% praise from everyone, including his own supporters. He has shown his mettle in times when it was difficult for him."

Fergie Praise for De Gea

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes goalkeeper David De Gea is playing with renewed confidence after adapting to life in the Premier League.

De Gea, who joined United for £18 million in the summer, came in for criticism earlier in the season after a series of shaky displays.

The Spaniard was at fault for two of the goals that saw Blackburn win 3-2 at Old Trafford on New Year's Eve, but ahead of United's trip to Ewood Park on Monday, Ferguson believes De Gea, who has kept three consecutive clean sheets, is no longer a weak link in the side.

"He got a grip of the situation," Ferguson said. "He did not let the mistakes get to him and now he is playing with confidence which is a great factor for any goalkeeper.

"The area where he has been criticised has been in dealing with aerial balls into the box. That last corner kick Blackburn had at Old Trafford, he should have dealt with that better. He knew that at the time and it is a situation he has addressed.

"He stood up to the situation; he knew it was a challenge. It took him time to adjust to the different ways of the English game and it showed. But the other night, he produced one or two terrific punches when Fulham put the ball in the box at the start of the second half. We knew he had the ability and this is what we have seen."