United lack the will

Manchester United 0 Blackburn Rovers 0: This could be the Cup final. If so, millions may be advised to switch off at half-time, go to the vicar's tea party for a bit of excitement and, if they really care, return for the penalties.

Of course, United may raise their game for a piece of silver. Here their spirit drained away after a bright first half in which Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane hit the post - Rooney with a scorcher from 30 yards - Brad Friedel made four sharp saves at close range and Morten Gamst Pedersen met Mikael Silvestre's forceful header in kind to clear off the line.

Something had to give. It was United's will. Blackburn, stretched to the limits of perspiration in the first half, rode the second, no sweat. United fizzled into aimlessness. They have 48 goals from 491 shots this season. It is not all ill luck.

Their last five games have been against bottom-seven teams. Only Southampton got hit. In the other three of the last four United have scored once. With the attacking forces at their disposal, they look as if they should score five every outing. Once they battered floodgates until they burst open. Now if they meet resistance they lose interest.

After their worst Premiership start, with 17 points (and seventh place) from the first 11 games, they are unbeaten in 20, during which they have lost a further four points to Chelsea.

If that is dispiriting, they have lacked their old conviction, seldom hitting heights.

Alex Ferguson, while still "hoping for a miracle" in terms of the title (for which Chelsea now need nine points), said: "We cannot afford to feel that we're in some kind of comfort zone. The battle for second place (which spares Champions League qualifying) is still very much on."

Rovers, without the prickles of Robbie Savage and Paul Dickov, both groin-stricken, showed a superb determination, getting bodies in the firing line, notably Ryan Nelsen. They had chances too, Pedersen heading wide, Andy Todd and Jonathan Stead shooting over.

If they show the same discipline on Saturday week, they may confound Arsenal in the first Cup semi-final as they did United here.

If Newcastle, the next day, reduce themselves to eight, even United's team of unfulfilling talents may find a way to the net. But it may not be a showpiece final on May 21.