Blackburn Rovers-Manchester United Preview

Oct 29, 2009 - 4:42 PM DANIEL ROSE STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Michael Owen aims to get Manchester United's title charge back on track against Blackburn on Saturday after insisting domestic glory is more important than regaining his England place.

Owen fired a timely reminder to England coach Fabio Capello by scoring a sublime individual goal during United's midweek 2-0 League Cup win over Barnsley.

Former Liverpool star Owen is in line to make a rare Premier League start as United bid to recover from last weekend's defeat at Anfield.

Owen said: "I suppose I have to score whenever I play. That is how people judge me.

"I do not know if I am edging closer to the England squad. It is not something I am thinking about when I walk on the pitch.

"I just want to do well for me and for the team."

United's quest to become the first team in English football history to win four successive championships suffered a blow as they were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed his side to bounce back, saying: "We will respond as we always do. That is the great beauty of this football club.

"Part of the challenge is how you get over disappointment. Last season we lost 4-1 at home to Liverpool and still went on to win the league.

"Our performance last weekend was disappointing but Saturday is a different game."

United hope to have midfielder Darren Fletcher available after missing their last two games with a groin injury.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has warned his side they need to overcome their poor away form or face another hammering at Old Trafford.

Rovers have lost all four of their Premier League away games this season and were thrashed 5-0 at Chelsea last weekend.

Allardyce, whose squad has been struck down by a swine flu outbreak, said: "The yips can become a real problem. I need to resolve it immediately before we go to Man United.

"We have to make sure we are organised and resilient enough to make sure whether we are up, a goal down or level, by the time the games gets into the last ten minutes we have a chance.

"The team away from home is unrecognisable. If you beat Aston Villa at home with ten men you are showing grit and determination. Then you go and lose 6-2 at Arsenal and 5-0 at Chelsea. This is a baffling problem."

Defender Chris Samba was among the players taken ill with swine flu. The DR Congo international says he lost 10lbs after contracting the potentially deadly illness.

Samba said: "It started like a normal flu \2013 a sore throat and a bad cold \2013 but is sapped me of all my energy.

"In two days I lost five kilos. After that you need a few days to recover and regain your rhythm."

Samba is ready to drag himself from his sickbed to play against the champions while midfielder David Dunn could also return.