Manchester United v Blackburn Rovers – in pictures

It's Sir Alex Ferguson's 70th birthday today and the Scot recieved a warm ovation before kick-off. It's hard to know if this United fan is asking for an autograph or passing him a birthday card - he deserves the latter, surely? Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Evidently Phil Jones has been charged with cutting the feed to Blackburn Rovers' Yakubu today. The Nigerian has scored 11 league goals already this season Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

United's squad is maligned by injury but one familiar face, Anderson, has returned to the side. Yes, that's him - minus the locks Photograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

Never one to be outdone, Nani has stencilled a peculiar design on to the side of his head Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Fergie is up in arms in the 16th minute when Dimitar Berbatov hauls Chris Samba to the floor. It's a penalty, no doubt about it Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

Yakubu casually sends David de Gea the wrong way to put Blackburn in front. Only 74 minutes to hang on Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

Or not. Six minutes into the second half, Yakubu bursts through the United defence, the ball bobbling conveniently into his stride, before lashing a shot through the keeper's legs. It's 2-0 to Blackburn! Photograph: Paul Thomas/Action images

And so it stays for all of one minute. With an attack launched immediately from the kick-off, United whip the ball in from the right and Berbatov converts with a header from close range. Somewhat inevitably, Berbatov scores again in the 62nd minute - the Bulgarian swivelling from 12 yards to fire a low, powerful strike through a crowded box - to make it 2-2 Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images

United press for a winner but Blackburn remain dangerous on the counter. And when Grant Hanley rises above the United keeper for a deep cross it looks dangerous Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

De Gea goes flying one way and the ball the other ... Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

... straight into the net! Photograph: Paul Thomas/Action Images

It's 3-2 to the visitors and Steve Kean, their beleaguered manager, is understandably rapturous Photograph: Jon Super/AP

Ferguson looks in a foul mood as he walks off after the match, United having failed to draw level in the remaining minutes. A point or a victory would have put United top of the table, above City, going into the new year. Instead, they sit beneath their neighbours, who now have a game in hand Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images