If Manchester United lose their title to Chelsea, they can always blame Brad Friedel!

Did anyone see the game on Saturday evening between Manchester United and my team, Blackburn Rovers?

Ewood Park was in a frenzy as Roque Santa Cruz, Blackburn’s bargain of the season, scored to give the underdogs a deserved 1-0 lead half way through the first half. 

Rovers, not known for their great defensive qualities, looked shaky in the second half and United piled on the pressure, chasing any points they could salvage from the game in order to move nearer to the Premier League title once again ahead of bitter rivals Chelsea.

What United didn't bargain for was the brilliance of the Blackburn goalkeeper on Saturday evening. He was fantastic! Brad Friedel, single-handedly, managed to hold United at bay throughout the match. Save after brilliant save kept United’s powerful attack goalless.

Even Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't get past the American goalkeeper, a saviour at Blackburn on so many occasions since his move from Liverpool a number of years ago. It wasn't until the 88th minute when Carlos Tevez headed into the Blackburn goal that the tall Yank was finally beaten. 

You could tell a goal was coming from the Champions, but Friedel's bravery in goal stopped a tirade of pressure from the Red Devils. Friedel quite rightly got the Man of the Match award for his display and in doing so put himself in line for being the best in the Premier League.

Truly, there are few better than the friendly American. Many goalies in the Premier League may have conceded fewer goals than Friedel but you have to remember the defences of these teams are much stronger than that of Blackburn.

Brad Friedel has enabled Rovers to keep their place in the top half of the top tier of English football. I wouldn't like to guess how many points he has saved for his club this season. He is such a dominant figure in the Rovers goalmouth that even the best strikers struggle to find a way past him.

Blackburn have had a good pedigree for goalkeepers over recent years, with Bobby Mimms, Tim Flowers and Shay Given all talented and all, with the exception of Mimms, gaining international honours.

Friedel has now retired from playing international games for the USA and so can concentrate solely on the Premier league and helping Blackburn to success.  He is loved and adored by all the fans and I for one am mighty glad he remains injury free for his club and continues to inspire the rest of the team.

Although moving from a big club like Liverpool, Friedel has never looked back and has been ever present in the Blackburn team over the past few seasons. Surely he deserves to be named Blackburn’s Player of the Year. Then again, David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz may have different ideas! Long may your shot-saving continue, Brad!