IF THE size of the task facing Blackburn Rovers wasn’t apparent prior to kick-off, then it certainly was when the team-sheets were announced.

United could afford to field a bench that cost £192m to assemble, the most expensive in FA Cup history, as well as putting out a first-team that still was worth around £169m and included 11 internationals.

Rovers on the other hand, their matchday squad of 18 cost just £450,000 to assemble.

But they put price-tags to one side, and showed a spirit which they will need in their remaining 15 cup finals in the Championship if they’re to avoid the drop.

Rovers will have won many plaudits for their display, and deservedly so, as they gave United a real fright in front of an excellent Ewood Park crowd.

In the end they came up just short, as the introduction of Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic turned the game in the visitors’ favour as the pair came up with the necessary quality to see United in to the quarter-finals courtesy of a 2-1 victory.

Rovers were encouraged by their opening to the game, holding a good shape defensively, and possessing a threat going forwards.
Marvin Emnes was handed a start in place of the injured Sam Gallagher and he had a big say on the early proceedings.

He tested Sergio Romero with a fierce drive in the 14th minute, before superbly teeing up Danny Graham for the opening goal three minutes later.

Emnes twice twisted his way past Marcus Rojo before his slide rule ball sent in Danny Graham who finished with a sweet left-foot strike. It was a goal that won the seal of approval of Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho who applauded the way Rovers had crafted the game’s opening goal.

Jason Steele was always likely to be in for a busy afternoon, with his first big save of the game coming in the 23rd minute  when he did well to beat away an effort from Ander Herrera.

The visitors then started to get in to their stride going forward and it wasn’t long before they did level. With the outside of his right foot Henrikh Mkhitaryan expertly sent Marcus Rashford in behind and he had the fleet of foot, and then calmness, to round Steele and slot in to the empty net.

That was the signal for United to start to camp in the Rovers half, but it was the hosts would go close to a second goal seven minutes before the break. Charlie Mulgrew sent Craig Conway in behind with a terrific raking pass, but after taking it well, the winger just couldn’t keep his shot down as it flashed over the bar.

Mulgrew himself with then see a shot deflected behind as he ran on to a Derrick Williams nod-down as Rovers went in to the break level, and with plenty of credit for their showing.

The hour mark ticked by with the game still tightly poised, so much so Mourinho turned to his star turns from the bench, Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

And Rovers were left crestfallen with 15 minutes left as the two super subs combined, Ibrahimovic putting the visitors in front from a Pogba through-ball.

Even then though, Rovers weren’t done, as after Romero made something of a hash of a Connor Mahoney shot, he made two world-class saves to deny Marvin Emnes and Willem Tomlinson, before Anthony Stokes turned in, only to be rightly flagged offside.

But the reception, and level of appreciation from the home stands at the final whistle showed how proud they were of the players’ efforts.