Blackburn Rovers fullback Michel Salgado believes Manchester United's season is falling apart because they've become too reliant on Wayne Rooney.

United face Salgado's Blackburn at Ewood Park today knowing only a win will keep alive their hopes of beating Chelsea to the title.

Salgado said: "Rooney is 50 or more per cent of Manchester United because now Ronaldo is at Real Madrid and is a big miss.

"They are going to struggle without Rooney. You could see on Wednesday against Bayern Munich. Rooney had a problem and they were not the same team.

"It is a surprise that the manager hasn't spent more. They need a striker, because Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez were a big part of the attack."