BLACKBURN winger Morten Gamst Pedersen has warned Manchester United he and his team-mates will not give up on their European dream until it is mathematically impossible.

The Norwegian flyer, who once famously gunned down United when Rovers triumphed 2-1 at Old Trafford two seasons ago, is determined to delay the Premier League champions-in-waiting's march towards the title when the two sides go head-to-head again in a sell-out clash at Ewood this afternoon.

Although Rovers are now outsiders in the race to secure an Intertoto place, with four points separating them and seventh-placed Aston Villa with only four games of the season remaining, Pedersen is adamant no-one at Ewood is throwing in the towel just yet, because they believe a European place is still within their grasp.

"We can still qualify for Europe - there's still a chance," said the 26-year-old, who has scored three goals in his last seven appearances against United.

"We can still get 12 points from our last four games.

"We want to get into Europe because we've been there for the last two years and it gives you something extra to be in.

"We've learnt a lot by playing in Europe in the past, and we want to be there again.

"But the most important thing for us right now is to take one game at a time, and first of all we've got an important game against Manchester United."

A victory over United would ignite Rovers' European hopes but they have yet to register a win against any of the top four in seven attempts this season, and have lost the last four, the latest being against Liverpool at Anfield last Sunday.

However, Mark Hughes' side are unbeaten in seven in the league at Ewood - a run dating back to December 23 when they were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea - and they have lost just one of their last seven home games against United, an impressive sequence which will give them heart.

As for Pedersen, who is set to make his 150th start for Rovers today, he would dearly love to repeat his heroics from two years ago, when he scored both goals in that epic 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.

By his own admittance, the former Tromso star has performed well below his best for large parts of this season, but three goals in his last eight appearances has given him a timely confidence boost.

"My performances have been a little bit down this season and maybe that's my fault," he added.

"But I've learnt a lot and I've been working really hard to get back in shape, and back into the positions I want to be in.

"After the New Year, I think I have been in those positions, and I've been scoring goals, providing assists, and been involved in things.

"Maybe I haven't been in those positions as many times as in the past but all credit to the likes of Roque, Benni and Robbo (Jason Roberts) because the strikers are scoring goals and that's fantastic for the team.

"At the end of the day, I'm a team player and I never play just for myself. I think my football is for the team and if we have a good team we can achieve more, rather than play as individuals."