Mixed emotions for United star

Phil Jones is confident Blackburn's fortunes will improve – but not until 2012.

The Manchester United defender is hoping to shake off an illness in time to face his former club for the first time since his £17million summer departure for Old Trafford.

With Premier League leaders Manchester City not in action until New Year's Day, United have the opportunity to steal a march on their local rivals by snatching top spot tomorrow, providing manager Sir Alex Ferguson with a perfect 70th birthday present.

Yet Jones knows that scenario would condemn Blackburn to bring in the New Year as the top flight's basement boys, and favourites for relegation.

It is not a situation the England defender relishes, but he is confident the Lancashire club will eventually haul themselves out of trouble.

Of their last 10 Premier League meetings with United, seven have been lost. When Rovers drew at Ewood Park in May, it still gave United their 19th league title.