BLACKBURN, England -- Three thoughts from Manchester United's 2-1 win at Blackburn, which sees them advance to the FA Cup quarterfinals.
1. Man United substitutes get the job done
There was half an hour remaining when Jose Mourinho signalled his determination to avoid a replay. There was a quarter of an hour to go when Manchester United's deluxe replacements powered the holders into the last eight of the FA Cup.
Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic came on together. They linked up again, albeit separated by 50 yards, when the France international showed his passing range with a wonderful long ball to find his teammate up top and in such space behind the Blackburn back four that he could wait for the ball to bounce, spin and place a half-volley into the far corner of the net.