Busy Mourinho feels Chelsea have edge

United boss believes ‘champions’ can already focus on quarter-final

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 yesterday’s fifth round clash, with goals from Marcus Rashford and substitute Zlatan Ibrahimovic cancelling out Danny Graham’s opener for Owen Coyle’s side.

The draw shortly after the full-time whistle 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.

Chelsea edged that tie, winning 1-0 in a replay after drawing at Old Trafford, and Mourinho suggested their eightpoint lead in the league meant they could begin planning for the tie.

United, on the other hand continue to balance a Europa League campaign, an EFL Cup final and their battle for the top four.

“Probably Chelsea can only think about that (the FA Cup) because I think they are champions and they have nothing else to fight for,” Mourinho said in a clinical and brief press conference.

“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 Europa League. I have to fight for a topfour position in the Premier League.

“I have so many things to think about.”

Picture: Getty Images. Zlatan Ibrahimovic came off the bench to net Manchester United’s winner at Blackburn yesterday.