Man United boss Jose Mourinho praises Zlatan Ibrahimovic

'Get on with it!': Wayne Rooney issues blunt response to Virgil van Dijk as he takes aim at the Liverpool captain after yet another complaint over 12.30pm kick-offs following disastrous derby loss
Liverpool close in on Arne Slot as next manager with talks developing quickly to take over from Jurgen Klopp - and a deal worth more than £10m could even be concluded by THIS WEEKEND
Captain fantastic Bruno Fernandes is Man United's own superhero... the new era at Old Trafford must be built around their Portuguese superstar, writes NATHAN SALT
Liverpool's title chances were washed away on a blue tide of desire. The timing of this defeat by Everton could not have been worse, writes IAN LADYMAN
Ruben Amorim held talks with West Ham on Monday - yet remains a 8/1 outsider with Sky Bet to be appointed manager of the Hammers
The next king of the Kop! Arne Slot is a Pep Guardiola disciple who orders his teams to attack relentlessly like Jurgen Klopp. He ticks EVERY box for Liverpool
Liverpool's title dream is 'OVER', Mo Salah has been 'so far off it' and Reds must make decision over 'erratic' Darwin Nunez's future... Jamie Carragher's RUTHLESS verdict after derby defeat
Erik ten Hag hits back at criticism of Man United's come-from-behind win over Sheffield United and insists his side were in 'total control'... after calling critics 'a disgrace' following FA Cup semi-final
Jude Bellingham's new girlfriend REVEALED: Model is 'completely smitten' with the footballer and 'has been staying at his Spanish pad'
Phil Foden reveals what it's REALLY like to play for Pep Guardiola in an It's All Kicking Off! podcast special
Referees chief Howard Webb will hold peace talks with Nottingham Forest this week after furious statement blasting decisions and Stuart Attwell... with VAR audio set to be played at the meeting
Football agent Saif Rubie says it would have been a 'suicide mission' to threaten former Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia in row over £300,000 payment
Crestfallen Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp APOLOGISES after derby defeat and admits only 'a crisis' at Man City and Arsenal can save their title hopes... as captain Virgil van Dijk questions whether his team-mates 'really want to win the league'
THE NOTEBOOK: Jack Dowling unites Goodison Park, Idrissa Gana Gueye suffocates Liverpool's creativity and Sean Dyche changes it up after 550 games
PLAYER RATINGS: Jarrad Branthwaite played like he has been at this level for a decade for Everton while Idrissa Gueye was everywhere... but which Liverpool star is given a 3.5/10?
Everton fans stick the knife into Liverpool supporters by serenading them with new song, as Toffees taunt their local rivals after puncturing Reds' title ambitions
Revealed: Why Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite's Merseyside derby goal against Liverpool might not have been allowed under new 'zero tolerance' rule set to come in next season
Wayne Rooney SLAMS Liverpool's 'school-boy' defending for Jarrad Branthwaite's goal in Merseyside derby defeat, as Jurgen Klopp's men crumble in intensity of Goodison Park to all-but end title hopes
Brittle Man United had to drag themselves back yet AGAIN... Erik ten Hag keeps giving reasons for him not to be part of the club's future, writes CHRIS WHEELER
Bruno Fernandes admits Man United 'put ourselves in a position where it's tough to win games' but hails the team's character to come from behind again in 4-2 win over Sheffield United
PLAYER RATINGS: Bruno Fernandes stole the show for Man United and dug them out of a hole... but which two players only receive a 5/10 rating?
THE NOTEBOOK: Sheffield United's leaky defence breaks a record, Man United stand against spending cap as Ethan Wheatley makes his debut for Red Devils
Andre Onana GIFTS Sheffield United opening goal at Old Trafford, as goalkeeper's shocking pass allows Jayden Bogle to strike for bottom club
Xavi makes HUGE U-turn and is now set to STAY as Barcelona manager, with club icon changing his mind despite previously insisting 'it was absolutely right decision' to step down this summer

Paul Pogba combined wonderfully with Zlatan Ibrahimovic for second goal
Both men came on as substitutes in the second half to immediate effect
Jose Mourinho credited his team with strong attitude in FA Cup victory
He said: 'I have important players on the bench, I can try to make an impact'

Published: 14:54 EDT, 19 February 2017 | Updated: 16:28 EDT, 19 February 2017

e-mail

Jose Mourinho praised substitutes Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba for showing the attitude needed to carry Manchester United past Blackburn in the FA Cup.

Ibrahimovic tucked away Pogba's searching long pass to secure a 2-1 win at Ewood Park and see United into the quarter-final draw.

Mourinho told BT Sport: 'I think the attitude of every player was really good.

Jose Mourinho brought on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba to great effect on Sunday

'When I have important players on the bench, I can try to make an impact. It depends also on their mentality and they were more than ready to come with the right attitude for the team.'

United had to dig deep after falling behind to Danny Graham's well-worked opener, Marcus Rashford with the equaliser before Ibrahimovic had the decisive say.

'Blackburn were a good team, better than the Blackburn of the Championship,' Mourinho said.

Ibrahimovic claimed the winning goal after collecting a superb long-range pass from Pogba

'They had an amazing attitude and belief, they gave us a really good match and with a different attitude we would lose this match.

'I think we deserved to win, but I think Blackburn would also have deserved to go to Old Trafford. But this is better for them - now they can focus on the Championship.'

Ibrahimovic too showed respect to the Championship side.

'Every game is unpredictable,' the Swede said. 'Since I came to England every game - especially in this FA Cup - is like a final.

Mourinho credited his entire team with having the right attitude to see off Blackburn

Ibrahimovic said every game in the FA Cup is like a final, such is the fierce competition

'It doesn't matter if they play in the Championship. So many games have not gone to the favourites. 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. We are still in every tournament. We will keep working hard, keep going and now is the decisive moment.'