Blackburn Rovers 0 - 2 Manchester United

Blackburn v Man Utd: Preview

Updated: October 3, 2008, 3:11 PM UK

Sir Alex Ferguson will be happy to offer Paul Ince managerial advice as long as he wants it but will not be offering any favours when the two lock horns at Ewood Park tomorrow.

Having got their league campaign back on track last weekend by overcoming Bolton, the Red Devils need to maintain their winning momentum when they travel to Blackburn this weekend.

Ferguson has a change to make in central midfield as Paul Scholes is sidelined for 10 weeks, so, with Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves injured as well, the United manager must choose two from Anderson, Darren Fletcher, John O'Shea and Ryan Giggs.

O'Shea was singled out for special praise by Ferguson for his performance in the midweek win over Aalborg, so the Irishman might keep his place, although Fletcher has added goalscoring to his repertoire this season, while the evergreen Giggs can also be relied upon in a crisis.

Rafael Da Silva may yet keep his place after an outstanding European debut in Denmark as Gary Neville is struggling, as well as Wayne Rooney, who picked up an ankle injury after opening the scoring against Aalborg.

Rooney is rated as 'very doubtful' by Ferguson but the United manager has no worries about leaving Fabio Capello to decide the extent of his involvement for England in their World Cup qualifiers with Kazakhstan and Belarus over the next fortnight.

As for Ince, it was assumed the pair no longer got on after Ferguson branded his former Manchester United midfielder a "big-time Charlie'' during his Liverpool days.

But he admitted Ince has been on the phone regularly since taking over at Blackburn this summer and rather than spurn what is now a Premier League rival, Ferguson is willing to offer Ince the benefit of his 35 years in the management game.

"It is not strange offering advice to a rival,'' said the United boss.

"It does not matter to me at all. That is what I am there for with the experience I have got.

"A lot of managers have asked my advice over the years. It is part of helping people to get on in the game.

"At the end of the day it is how you tell your own story and how you impart your knowledge to players that counts.''

Ferguson's travels to see son Darren's Peterborough side last season brought Ferguson into contact with Ince and he was encouraged by what he saw.

"I am not surprised at the work Paul has done,'' said the Scot. "I was impressed with MK Dons last season and I was impressed with him.

"He has always had something about him. And the thing I like is that he has done his apprenticeship.

"It shows he had the confidence to go anywhere and manage.''

Ince is close to having goalkeeper Paul Robinson and summer signing Vince Grella fit for action, but the visit of the champions could be too early for both.

Former Gillingham keeper Jason Brown made his first Blackburn start at Newcastle last time out and looks likely to face United as Robinson struggles to shake off the calf injury he sustained against Everton in the Carling Cup.

Australia international Grella could be named among the substitutes for the match but is more likely to make his Rovers return after the international break.

Steven Reid is out with a knee problem, while Benni McCarthy is back in training but is unlikely to be sharp enough for the starting XI.

Ince is looking forward to doing battle with the man he rates as the best manager in the history of the game.

"This is the exciting thing about coming to the Premier League,'' he said.

"It's a chance to pit yourself against the manager of all time, as far as I'm concerned.

"Fergie has such high standards. I played under a lot of managers but they don't come close. That is no disrespect to them because I don't think anybody does.

"But it's not about me and it's not about Alex Ferguson, it's about the 22 players that go out on the pitch and hopefully we will perform.''