There are few grounds in the English Premier League that will make Manchester United fans as nervous as the prospect of a trip to Ewood Park.

It is the one ground that always seems to pop up during “squeaky bum time”, and it is always a venue that brings the worst out of United. In 2009/10, Dimitar Berbatov, Antonio Valencia and a host of others spurned chance, after chance, after chance on a pivotal day of the title race that arguably cost Manchester United a record fourth consecutive championship. Last year, the scrappiest of draws, only won after Paul Robinson’s rush of blood to the head saw him take out Javier Hernandez in the box, allowed United to pick up championship number 19, preceding a farcical final ten minutes in which both teams settled for a point a piece. In 07/08 it took until the 88th minute for Carlos Tevez to undo Brad Friedel’s heroics to earn United a vital point. In fact, in the last four seasons, United have only picked up six points from a possible twelve at Ewood Park, and Blackburn’s shock win over United this season at Old Trafford serves as just another reminder to those who think United are building a title winning lead, that the Red Devils can take nothing for granted.

Steve Kean deserves a great deal of credit for the way in which he has turned the Rovers season around, amidst the horrendous ownership provided by the Venkys, the undeniable tension between management and supporters that lead to full blown protests demanding his sacking. Beating United on their own turf was just one step in the many that Blackburn have taken to going a long way to ensuring Premiership survival, and they will hope to take one more massive step by taking even more points off of Sir Alex’s men. Having already taken more than almost every team in the Premier League off of the Champions of England, they’ll fancy their chances on home turf too.

If Sir Alex was guilty of vastly underestimating the quality and the desperation of Steve Kean’s Rovers side on New Years Eve, he will certainly not be making the same mistake twice. Sir Alex inexplicably fielded a completely makeshift side, necessitated to a certain extent by injury, at Old Trafford on that evening, and he was undone by the inexperience of the team he chose, as he watched in horror as Blackburn stole the show with a late winner to take all three points.

United have come a long way since though. Faced with chronic injury problems all over the pitch, a goalkeeper who had yet to find his feet in the English game, an early exit from the Champions League and forced to watch as their closest rivals appeared to be running off with the league, New Years Eve was undoubtedly the low point of United’s season. More despondency in Europe aside, where United were unceremoniously dumped from the Europa League by a vastly superior and hungrier Athletic Bilbao, things have gotten markedly better for United since that evening.

The return of Paul Scholes has provided an undeniable boost to the Champions, chasing a 20th league crown, whilst the return of Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia, Rio Ferdinand, as well as the rise of Jonny Evans have all helped United to find the sort of ominous form that is just so typical of them.

That could all be derailed at Ewood, however.

With Manchester City playing a full two days before at home to Sunderland, United could well be under the pump come Monday night when they travel the short trip to Blackburn. United’s performance against Fulham was shaky at best. They played good football at times, and had they not been so wasteful, it might have been a much more comfortable win, but that they were so wasteful perhaps suggests that the pressure is, at times at least, starting to affect performances. The last 15 minutes of that game in particular were evidence of that, as United went from controlling the game to desperately holding onto a lead, which they eventually did courtesy of a massive mistake from the referee who failed to award what looked a clear penalty when Michael Carrick clattered into the back of Danny Murphy.

One can’t help but feel a similair performance at Ewood Park won’t go without punishment. Steve Kean knows that whilst he has done well so far in turning Blackburn’s season around, he hasn’t got his charges completely clear of relegation just yet, particularly after last week’s loss at the Reebok against an emotionally charged Bolton outfit. Given their performances against United at home over recent years, Kean will undoubtedly look at this game as one they can get at the very least a point out of, and that alone represents why United need to be at their best on Monday. If most teams are defeated before they even take to the park against United, Blackburn will believe, indeed they have proven, that they are capable of matching or even beating United on their day.

Sir Alex will do well to head the warnings of the past, and beware what might be at Ewood Park.