A DEFIANT Steve Kean insists Blackburn Rovers will stay in the Premier League if they repeat last night’s courageous display against champions elect Manchester United.

Late goals from Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young condemned Rovers to a 2-0 defeat and leaves them back in the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference.

Kean though remains confident his side have shown more than enough to beat the drop, after watching them threaten to pull off another shock result against United.

The visitors goalkeeper David De Gea pulled off a string of top saves before United broke Rovers hearts in the last 10 minutes.

Kean said: “I thought it could have gone either way. We had six shots on target and Manchester United had eight.

“I thought for 80 minutes we held our own but we have to take our chances when we get them. Their keeper has had a great evening.

“We are hoping now Manchester United do us a favour against some of our rivals in the next couple of games, although I have said all along we have to look after ourselves.

“If we play like that, albeit it was for 80 minutes and not 90, if we play like that for the duration of the game, the amount of points we pick up will be more than enough.

“We caused them a lot of problems on the break and maybe could have done better with some of the chances. We probably had to score when we were creating chances.

“We probably got a bit narrow for their first goal and it is very difficult from there. We felt we gave Martin Olsson a little bit too much to do, there wasn't a great deal of cover, which we had given him all night.

“We protected him well apart from that. De Gea made a few good saves and Rio Ferdinand putting in a brilliant tackle.

“I just felt when it was 0-0 we kept our shape well and were playing well on the break but the thing is if we can play that standard for the next seven games, and for 90 minutes, we will get plenty of wins.”