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Manchester United’s crumbling season took another turn for the worse at Blackburn on Sunday as the champions were held to a 0-0 draw which left Chelsea in pole position to take the title.

Just four days after crashing out of the Champions League against Bayern Munich, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side gave a toothless display which left them one point behind leaders Chelsea, who have a game in hand against Bolton on Tuesday.

Just two weeks ago United looked strong contenders to win a treble, but now they may have to settle for just the League Cup they lifted in February.

Without the injured Wayne Rooney, United never looked likely to break down a rock-solid Blackburn defence as Dimitar Berbatov and Federico Macheda laboured to fill the void left by the England striker’s absence with an ankle problem.

United’s best chance fell to Antonio Valencia moments before the interval but with just Paul Robinson to beat he saw his shot well saved by the England international.

The inclusion of Macheda was one of six changes made by Ferguson, who recalled the experienced trio of Ryan Giggs, Gary Nevilleand Paul Scholes, while John O’Shea made his first start for five months.

This promised to be a stern test for United, however, considering Rovers had lost just two league fixtures at Ewood Park this season and held Chelsea to a draw recently.

Rovers boss Sam Allardyce might be close friends with Ferguson, to such an extent that the pair spent a day’s racing at Aintree last week when the latter’s horse won, but he was in no mood to do United and their manager any favours here.

United were lacklustre from the start. Berbatov offered little movement in attack while Macheda struggled to get into the game.

Nani appeared to have the beating of the ageing Michel Salgado on the left flank yet United were struggling to get the ball to him.

Berbatov’s body language somehow personified United’s woes. The Bulgarian forward was a picture of frustration, with himself, his colleagues, the game and even the referee.

It was Blackburn who threatened first when Australia’s Vince Grella curled a delightful cross to Christopher Samba, but his downward header was well saved by Edwin Van der Sar at his right hand post.

It took United until the 24th minute to muster a strike on goal and provide Robinson with something to do.

Valencia burst into space on the right but his angled drive was well blocked by the legs of the England international.

Moments later Nani tried his luck from long range but was hopelessly off-target as the visitors’ lethargy continued.

When Berbatov decided to exert himself he created a wonderful chance for Valencia in the 43rd minute but the Ecuador international shot too close to Robinson and wasted a glorious opportunity to hand United a priceless lead.

Whatever Ferguson said at half time seemed to fall on deaf ears. United continued to struggle to find a way through Blackburn’s stubborn and well organised defence and when a slight opening did present itself Ferguson’s men wasted it.

Nani failed to find the unmarked Macheda with no-one between him and Robinson’s goal and the Portugal winger then blazed a free kick off target on the hour mark.

When Berbatov slipped and then lost his boot with just four minutes remaining he looked a beaten man and summed up United’s end to the season.

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) – Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits he still gets nervous during title run-ins despite having spent almost a quarter of a century at Old Trafford.

Ferguson, 68, took over at United in 1986 and is battling Chelsea and Arsenal for a record fourth straight Premier League title, which would take his tally of English championships to 12.

Yet the veteran manager claims he will always feel anxiety before his team’s matches no matter how experienced he is. And he feels that even the managers that seem calm on the outside are struggling with inner turmoil.

“You still get keyed up for games and it’s part of it. It’s that time when players are doing their warm-up that you’re on your own in a sense and your staff are away doing their jobs,” Ferguson said.

“It’s alright at home matches because you’re in your office but away from home you’re killing time, walking about or sitting in the dressing room.

“We’re all the same, whether you’re top of the league or bottom of the league, that’s what football does to you.

“If it wasn’t that way we’re all in the wrong job. I think it tells you, you still care about the game.

“Managers are the subject to that more than anyone, that uncertainty, the anxiety, apprehension about every game you play in, simply because the result is important to you.

“Some people are quite relaxed about the game and don’t show great emotions but they still care.

“Deep down you’re probably turning inside out the same as the rest of us because that’s what the game does to you.

“The thing for managers is the win, lose, draw situation. You aim to win and you can’t lose too many or you lose your job. There’s no-one more directly responsible for results as the manager.

“We’re all subject to winning games or we’re on the dole (unemployment) line.”

The Scot remains as forthright as ever and only this season has been punished for outspoken criticism of referee Alan Wiley, has hit out at neighbours Manchester City and was involved in a heated touchline row with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

He saw the midweek fracas involving Manchester City’s Roberto Mancini and Everton’s David Moyes as further evidence of the pressure that managers are under.

He added: “Mancini wanted to rush the game and Davey was 2-0 up and it would have been interesting if he’d kept the ball for a second or two longer!

“The good thing was that Roberto apologised which was big and they had a glass of wine after.”

Ferguson, whose side travel to Bayern Munich in the Champions League next week, believes that Portuguese winger Nani, who has signed a new contract to keep him at Old Trafford until 2014, is finally showing signs of consistency.

Nani arrived from Sporting Lisbon in 2007 but although his form in previous years has been fitful, his performances have improved over the last few months.

Ferguson said: “We know about Nani’s fantastic talent and he’s got two great feet, he’s good in the air, he’s brave, he’s a great trainer, and is mature.

“That applies to a lot of 20-odd-year old players and there are good signs with that and we’re happy with him.

“We’ve been negotiating for a couple of months now and we’re delighted he’s signed his contract. In the last few weeks his form has been better.”

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