I'm no supporter of Manchester United. I'm an admitted supporter of Brad Friedel, so much so that I've more than once suggested that Bob Bradley should get himself to Blackburn, sit down with America's premier goalkeeper and find out what it will take to get Friedel between the posts in South Africa. Whatever it costs, it's worth it.

So, it may not surprise anyone to realize that I spent a fair part of Saturday afternoon alternately admiring the work of both Manchester United and Mr. Friedel, in fact sometimes wondering if he'd actually just done what I thought he had. I'm not very interested in seeing Chelsea win the EPL, but the longer Blackburn held that lead yesterday, the greater next weekend's Stamford Bridge showdown would be.

The real surprise -- especially to me -- is that I spent the last 20 minutes of that match admiring the grit, invention and character of United. Here was a team that simply was not going to be beaten. Even with Wayne Rooney unable to impact much, there was Cristiano Ronaldo looking like the best left winger on the planet (he is), Carlos Tevez showing real hunger for the goal and veteran Paul Scholes making sure everything ticked over in midfield.
When Scholes headed that corner on for Tevez to somehow bend himself in position to nod the equalizer past Friedel this Arsenal supporter couldn't help but mumur a quiet "well done."

Chelsea could win next weekend, but their inferior goal difference remains a  daunting obstacle. And I suppose United could struggle against Barcelona, go into a funk and somehow manage to drop something in their last two EPL games.

Don't, however, plan on that happening.

What we saw at Blackburn today was proof positive that Ferguson and assistant Carlos Queiroz have done a masterful job this season.

I'm still expecting them to conquer Europe in Moscow this May. Their gambles come off because there is a spirit in this United side that even one of Friedel's finest hours was not enough to defeat.

And, Bob ... give Brad a call, please.