Blackburn midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen is aiming to slow down the title charge of the team he rates as the best in Europe.

Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United visit Ewood Park this evening looking to move three points closer to a successful defence of their crown.

United are two points clear at the top of the table and are hot favourites to take the title having played one match fewer than rivals Chelsea.

Yet Pedersen insists he and his team-mates are capable of throwing a spanner in the works, and points out Rovers beat United twice in 2005-06.

The Norwegian said: "We will probably meet the best team in Europe at the moment, the team in the semi-finals of the Champions League and top of the table.

"But we have good memories of playing Man United and it is always fun to play the best teams.

"You have to do well but at the end of the day they are not unbeatable.

"We have done it before but they are in good form so we cannot give them too much. We have to work hard and hopefully we can get some points."

Rovers still have an outside chance of qualifying for Europe via the Intertoto Cup, although they must hope for slip-ups from Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Form is not good, with the Lancashire side having not won in three games but Pedersen says no-one at the club is giving up.

"We still believe in it," the 26-year-old said. "We want to be in Europe next season.

"We have to work hard and we have got a tough game against Man United - they are a good team but we have beaten good teams before.

"It is a little bit extra being in Europe, you meet a different kind of team and formation and players.

"We haven't failed yet so I can't say I am disappointed. We are working hard and still believe it.

"We have to wait to the last game to see who is going to be in Europe. Hopefully you are going to see Blackburn in Europe next season."

Pedersen has enjoyed playing United in the past, making his Rovers debut against them in 2004 and then scoring twice in a 2-1 win at Old Trafford a year later.

He is also in good heart having found the net three times in his last eight matches.

Pedersen said: "I got an assist in that first game and should have scored the winner - but I put it a yard over the crossbar.

"It would have been too good to be true if that had gone in but I have some good memories from those games against Man United so hopefully I will play on Saturday and get some new memories for me and the club.

"It's been good lately and hopefully I can get some more goals against teams now."