SIR Alex Ferguson has warned Manchester United's title rivals to forget any notion that the Red Devils might begin a crucial week by taking it easy against Blackburn this evening.
United have eased into a five-point lead at the Barclays Premier League summit so even if they failed to beat Rovers at Old Trafford, Ferguson knows they could not be toppled.
As this current eight-day period includes the first leg of an eagerly-awaited Champions League duel with Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday before being brought to an end by the Carling Cup final against Tottenham, Ferguson might be considering leaving a few key men out as Sam Allardyce's side make the short journey down the M61.
But Ferguson has vowed his team will be stepping on the accelerator, not easing off the gas.
"This game can kick you in the teeth," he said.
"We lost a 12-point lead to Arsenal in 1998. That is a great reminder for us to keep going the whole road and not take rests.
"We don't need one anyway. These lads are young, fit and fresh. They can go the distance.
"This (match) is as important as Tuesday night. We have to make sure we keep our focus on every game."
Wayne Rooney has already been guaranteed a start as Ferguson assesses the striker's chances of making the San Siro clash.
Jonny Evans could also be involved too given Nemanja Vidic is suspended in midweek.
The extent of the pain John O'Shea is getting in his sore heel will determine whether Evans plays at centre-half or right-back.
However, Ferguson certainly has plenty of options as his side try to pile the pressure on second-placed Liverpool, and in the process set a new European top-flight record by going 15 matches without conceding a goal and extend a nine-game winning streak.
"If you look too far ahead you can get yourself in a real tizz about things," reflected Ferguson.
"We must concentrate on tomorrow because the league is a big issue for us.
"It sounds great - we have a five-point lead and a goal difference advantage of nine. But if you lose one game it doesn't sound too good at all.
"The players are showing a lot of drive at the moment and playing with a fantastic purpose.
"Maybe we should still be scoring more goals but we are winning our games. That is the important thing."
As this current eight-day period includes the first leg of an eagerly-awaited Champions League duel with Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday before being brought to an end by the Carling Cup final against Tottenham, Ferguson might be considering leaving a few key men out as Sam Allardyce's side make the short journey down the M61.
But Ferguson has vowed his team will be stepping on the accelerator, not easing off the gas.
"This game can kick you in the teeth," he said.
"We lost a 12-point lead to Arsenal in 1998. That is a great reminder for us to keep going the whole road and not take rests.
"We don't need one anyway. These lads are young, fit and fresh. They can go the distance.
"This (match) is as important as Tuesday night. We have to make sure we keep our focus on every game."
Wayne Rooney has already been guaranteed a start as Ferguson assesses the striker's chances of making the San Siro clash.
Jonny Evans could also be involved too given Nemanja Vidic is suspended in midweek.
The extent of the pain John O'Shea is getting in his sore heel will determine whether Evans plays at centre-half or right-back.
However, Ferguson certainly has plenty of options as his side try to pile the pressure on second-placed Liverpool, and in the process set a new European top-flight record by going 15 matches without conceding a goal and extend a nine-game winning streak.
"If you look too far ahead you can get yourself in a real tizz about things," reflected Ferguson.
"We must concentrate on tomorrow because the league is a big issue for us.
"It sounds great - we have a five-point lead and a goal difference advantage of nine. But if you lose one game it doesn't sound too good at all.
"The players are showing a lot of drive at the moment and playing with a fantastic purpose.
"Maybe we should still be scoring more goals but we are winning our games. That is the important thing."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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