YAKUBU TALKING TOUGH

Blackburn striker Yakubu has warned Manchester United that he believes he could score a hat-trick when the two meet on Monday at Ewood Park. The Nigerian international scored two goals as his side clinched a shock 3-2 victory against the defending champions at Old Trafford on New Year’s Eve. And the forward recalled the day fondly, telling The Sun: "Scoring against United is always special — they're one of the biggest clubs in the world. "To score two that day at Old Trafford was a great feeling. You always want to be at your best when you play the biggest clubs. "But I always think I can score, no matter which club I am playing against. Whenever I get the ball I believe I can score. "After I get my first goal I always feel I can go on and get a second. That's what happened at Old Trafford. Maybe I can do it again — to go one better and get a hat- trick against United. That would be great for me." The Red Devils recently overtook rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table and would go five points clear with a win at Ewood Park. However, Yakubu believes his side, who have climbed out of the relegation zone after winning three of their last six league games, will not make it easy for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men. He continued: "The league will be a fight to the end. City won't just give away the title. United could drop points at any time. Already this season we have won some games people did not expect us to win." The forward has already scored 14 league goals so far this campaign, but underlined his desire for more and thanked his manager for giving him the opportunity to do so. He continued: "I want to score more than 20 goals in a season. To score more than 20 in the Premier League is always a great achievement. "Steve Kean gave me the opportunity to come back to the Premier League. He allowed me to prove what I can do — and I have to thank him for that."