Fergie hoping rivals slip up

 SIR Alex Ferguson admitted the Barclays Premier League title was slipping away from Manchester United following a goalless draw at Blackburn.

United remain a point adrift of Chelsea, having played a game more than the Stamford Bridge outfit, and with just four matches to do something about it.

To make matters worse, Rio Ferdinand suffered a groin injury, Ryan Giggs was forced off with a hamstring strain and John O’Shea also left the field early after starting for the first time since November.

Ferdinand had already been in the wars, dislocating his finger in a collision with Martin Olsson.

But it was the groin injury he sustained near the end that will worry Ferguson more, and probably Fabio Capello as well as the World Cup starts to loom into view.

Although United dominated possession, with Wayne Rooney out with an ankle injury, they created few clear–cut chances.

Antonio Valencia had the best one just before the break when he found himself clear inside the penalty area.

But Paul Robinson produced a fine save to repel the Ecuador star and United came no nearer even though they spent long periods camped in the Blackburn half.

For United, it marks the end of a miserable fortnight, which has seen their hopes of glory on the European front ended and in the league almost snuffed out too.