Manchester United 4 Blackburn Rovers 1: Midfield sorcery thrills the court of ginger prince

Old Trafford provided a playground on Saturday for the DVD producers who seek striking images and charismatic personalities to promote the product that will inevitably follow Manchester United's coronation as English champions.

There was Wayne Rooney putting personal torment aside to applaud Cristiano Ronaldo as he departed to a standing ovation following his latest class in how to twist a defender's ligaments and blood. There was the tension etched on the face of Rio Ferdinand when halted by a late whistle, and the guilt when his subsequent loss of temper drove the match-ball into the face of a female spectator. We even had the sight of Tony Coton, United's goalkeeping coach, celebrating a critical goal in a manner reminiscent of Brian Kidd in 1993.

And then there was the decisive influence on a result, perhaps the defining influence on the title, that will not sell the season's packaged story - though it merits own chapter - the calculating and impenetrable mind of Paul Scholes.

Saturday had all the hallmarks of those spring days when the sun returns to Premiership afternoons yet sets on the leaders' procession to the title. Thanks to an inexhaustible supply of self-belief, patience and style, the 32-year-old did not allow that to happen.

Matt Derbyshire, Blackburn's discovery of the season, had pounced just as Nemanja Vidic was being carried away with the dislocated shoulder that will keep the Serbian out for at least four weeks and represents a serious setback to United's designs on the treble.

Fear consumed Old Trafford for an hour, Rooney toiled as though he would not score at a 21st birthday party but still he created sufficient nuisance for Scholes to collect the ball and epitomise the composure that survived a frenetic, fantastic contest as he rode three Blackburn challenges before breaking the resistance of Brad Friedel. At the end of a bad week for English football's flame-haired contingent, the ginger prince of Old Trafford had enthralled his court once again.

Sir Alex Ferguson explained: "The first time he went past the defender they were all saying 'shoot'; the second time they were all saying 'shoot'. But he made the right decision. He made sure he was going to score."

The midfielder's influence was not restricted to a goal that had the effect of shattering a dam above Blackburn, in his passing, vision and energy he was the example for younger, once impetuous, team-mates to hold their nerve.

"I don't think his performances have gone unrecognised this season," said the beaten Rovers manager, Scholes' former team-mate, Mark Hughes. "Since he's come back he's been sensational. He's had an influence on every game I've seen him play."

Red mist brought a three-match ban for the midfielder on his last League outing, at Anfield, on a day United were credited with the luck of champions. Here, with a second-half display Ferguson rated the best of the season, they polished their mantle as the finest side in the land. In the two League games since the departure of Henrik Larsson stirred doubts about their limited attacking range, United have scored eight goals against two belligerent local rivals. It seems Ferguson's men currently have an answer for everything.

In Scholes and Ryan Giggs they have reserves of mental fortitude that will only be measured when they have gone, but in Michael Carrick and Park Ji-Sung United also possessed an outstanding supporting cast. It was no coincidence that United's valuable opening goals were provided by a central midfield fresh from an international break.

There is also an intense spirit to this United team. This was a key contest in the run-in and their approach was unwavering even when events appeared to be conspiring against them.

Tap-ins from Park and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought a repeat of the previous League scoreline against Bolton to leave United five wins from their first title in four years, and completed an absurd afternoon for Blackburn. Excellent in their game plan and execution before the interval, they were simply bent to a relentless desire afterwards, but when they return to this stadium for the FA Cup semi-final in a fortnight it will not be in trepidation of Chelsea.

Until Solomon Kalou swooped for the champions at Vicarage Road the Premiership title was over. Unless United drop these imperious standards, it will be. Even their rescue acts are now stylishly superior.

Goals: Derbyshire (28) 0-1; Scholes (61) 1-1; Carrick (73) 2-1; Park (83) 3-1; Solskjaer (90) 4-1.

Manchester United (4-4-1-1): Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic (O'Shea, 27), Heinze; Park, Carrick, Scholes, Ronaldo (Solskjaer, 84); Giggs (Smith, 84); Rooney. Substitutes not used: Richardson, Kuszczak (gk).

Blackburn Rovers (4-4-2): Friedel; Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock; Dunn, Tugay (Peter, 75), Mokoena, Pedersen; McCarthy (Roberts, 69), Derbyshire. Substitutes not used: Nonda, Enckelman (gk).

Referee: C Foy (Merseyside).

Booked: Manchester United Heinze; Blackburn Rovers Dunn, Pedersen, Emerton.

Man of the match: Scholes.

Attendance: 76,098.