Defending champions Manchester United increased their lead over Premier League title rivals Manchester City to five points on Monday with a 2-0 victory over struggling Blackburn Rovers.

Goals inside the last 10 minutes by Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young gave United a deserved victory and revenge for a shock home defeat at Rovers hands earlier in the season.

Defeat for Blackburn means they drop into the bottom three because of a worse goal difference to that of QPR.

Long-time leaders City have seven games to try and overhaul United.