Sir Alex Ferguson

United struggled to find their rhythm against a Blackburn side that continue to grow under former Old Trafford favourite Mark Hughes.

While there was an element of luck about the way Santa Cruz secured his 20th goal of the season, they deserved to be ahead.

Morten Gamst Pedersen's long throw was cut out by Vidic but his header came off team-mate Rio Ferdinand's back

It fell kindly to the Paraguay striker and he rifled a shot beyond Tomasz Kuszczak.

United then raised the tempo in the second half only for Brad Friedel to make a string of superb saves from Tevez, Wayne Rooney and substitute John O'Shea.

Tevez, however, was eventually rewarded for his work ethic, leaving United daring to dream.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Hopefully it will be a big, big point - Tevez was fantastic.

"That's five this season, if you include equalising goals and late goals that have got us points and it's another one today.

"We never gave in and deserved to win the game really."

Ferguson wants nothing less than a victory against Chelsea next weekend even though their title rivals have a formidable home record.

He said: "We have got to think about winning at Chelsea.

"I know they haven't lost there for about 100 games, but it could be like that. Records are there to be broken."

Sir Alex Ferguson's side will effectively end Chelsea's challenge on Saturday should they achieve a victory at Stamford Bridge, given their superior goal difference.

United finish the campaign against West Ham and Wigan - and will be favourites to get maximum points from both.

Nemanja Vidic believes Manchester United have enough about them to win their remaining three games and retain the title.

While there is the adrenalin rush of a Champions League semi-final on Wednesday against Barcelona to come, there was no disguising Vidic's pleasure at getting a point at Ewood Park.

Carlos Tevez headed home the equaliser with two minutes remaining after Paul Scholes had flicked on a corner from substitute Nani.

That goal cancelled out the opener from Roque Santa Cruz after 21 minutes and put United three points clear of Chelsea with matches running out.

Back in the side following a knee injury, Serbian defender Vidic said: "We still have three games we need to win.

"I think we are able to do that - we want to be champions.

"It is a tough game when you play Blackburn away. We conceded a goal but after that we believed we could score and could win the game.

"We tried hard. It is not the best performance but it is a good result.

"It is a big point. We were losing 1-0 and I think we need to be happy."

Ferguson will monitor the fitness of Rooney and goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar ahead of the semi-final first leg at the Nou Camp.

Rooney got a kick on the hip in the second half but is expected to be fit while Van der Sar suffered a groin injury in training on Friday.

Should the Dutchman fail to make it, Tomasz Kuszczak will retain his place between the posts.

Ferguson added: "Tomasz has the experience now. He has improved a lot and I have no hesitation in bringing him into the side."