JOSE CUP MIND GAMES
UNITED SEE OFF BRAVE BLACKBURN TO SET UP BIG FA CUP SHOWDOWN WITH CHELSEA
Jose Mourinho says Chelsea have the Premier League title wrapped up and can afford to pay more attention to their FA Cup quarter-final than Manchester United.
United had to come from behind to see off Championship strugglers Blackburn in their fifth-round clash yesterday, with goals from Marcus Rashford and sub Zlatan Ibrahimovic cancelling out Danny Graham’s opener.
The cup draw pitched Mourinho’s men against his former club at Stamford Bridge – a first cup meeting between the teams since the same stage four years ago.
Mourinho suggested their eight-point lead in the league meant they could begin planning for the tie now.
United, on the other hand hand, continue to balance a Europa League campaign, an EFL Cup final and their battle for the top four.
Mourinho initially offered “no reaction” to the draw but could not resist an early start to the mind games. “Probably Chelsea can only think about that (the FA Cup) because I think they are champions and they have nothing else to fight for,” he said.
“The FA Cup is something I believe is important for them. I have to play St Etienne (on Wednesday), I have to play the (League Cup) final, I have to play hopefully another opponent in the Eu- ropa League. I have to fight for a top-four position in the Premier League
“I have so many things to think about.”
That United do not have a replay to add to their schedule is down to Mourinho’s decison, shortly after an hour’s play, to send for Paul Pogba and Ibrahimovic.
The pair had been slated for a rest but when called upon, combined for the decisive goal of the game – Ibrahimovic’s 24th in a United shirt.
“The connection between quality players any time is a help,”saidMourinho.“Iknew that (Ibrahimovic) would be a very important player for us. One goal more or one goal less, I knew the contribution would be massive.”
Although his scoring record suggests a man at ease with the challenge, the veteran striker has been impressed at the quality of opposition since arriving in England. “Every game is unpredictable,” the Swede said.
“We don’t underestimate anybody. The team did well before the changes too but in the second half, me and Paul came in to boost that up a bit. He gave a great ball and I scored a goal. We are happy with the win.”
Rovers boss Owen Coyle, fighting to beat the drop in the Championship, said of his depleted team: “We gave a very good account of ourselves but nobody likes losing games. We did enough to get another shot at it.
“We now have to show that display week in, week out in the Championship.”