DAVID May might shed a silent tear or two if he helps to send old mates like Jason Wilcox, Tony Parkes and Brian Kidd into the First Division.

But he won't be showing any sentiment on the field - rightly so.

The former Ewood defender vowed today that victory for United had to come first. But he admits it comes as a much bigger shock to him to see Rovers struggling than it did to see them winning the title.

"The team they had in the championship season was the best Blackburn had had for a long time," he said.

"And it did not surprise me that they went on to win the title in 1995.

"But I never thought they would be where they are now, that's the real surprise.

"It's more of a surprise than them winning the title.

"It hurts because I still know some of the lads and I will be sorry for them.

"But it's dog eat dog I'm afraid.

"Jason Wilcox was a big mate. I will be upset for him and I will also feel very sorry for Tony Parkes after what he has done and gone through.

"And Kiddo gave me a lot of self confidence and encouraged me.

"He never had a go at us and always said positive things.

"As everyone knows, I had a bad start at Old Trafford and he helped me in those early days.

"He kept my head up and tended to look after me because we were both from the same area."

May, however, cannot afford to worry about Rovers as he is involved in chasing the treble.

"I have never been involved in anything as exciting as this," he said.

"It's just unfortunate for me that I am going back there knowing that if we do win Blackburn will be down.

"However, it's just one of those things. "It will be difficult for them because we obviously need to win. But I am a United player not a Blackburn player and I want United to win.

"There will be feelings of sadness if Blackburn go down but Manchester United pay my wages and, if Blackburn going down means United winning, then I will be very happy.

"It wouldn't be my fault if Rovers do go down.

"They have sold so many of their better players right through the middle of the team and, if you lose the backbone of your team, you are going to be struggling if you don't replace them.

"If Kiddo hadn't gone there and got some of the points he has been able to achieve then they would have been down already.

"What he has done in a short time has been good. He's done well.

"But it's important for us to win this one and sentiment comes second.

"Brian Kidd made me a better character, person and player. We had a lot of laughs together.

"He has a very dry sense of humour and I would be very sad for him. But we have to get the three points.

"If, in turn, that means sending my old club and Kiddo into the First Division it's just one of those things."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.