Ibrahimovic sends Manchester United through to Chelsea clash

Blackburn - Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic combined to score the winning goal that carried Manchester United through to the FA Cup quarter-finals in a 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers.

United faces Chelsea in a mouthwatering last-eight tie at Stamford Bridge next month as victory maintained Jose Mourinho's interest in all four competitions in which his side has competed this season.

The FA Cup holder was facing the prospect of an unwanted replay after Marcus Rashford equalised Danny Graham's opening goal for the Championship side which prompted Mourinho to bring the high-profile pair off the bench early in the second half.

On 75 minutes the gamble paid off as Pogba, from just inside his half, played a pass for Ibrahimovic to chase.

The Swedish striker timed his run to perfection, avoiding the offside trap before coolly rolling his 24th goal of the season into the corner of the net from six yards.

There was almost a dramatic late equaliser for Rovers after Sergio Romero spilled a shot from Connor Mahoney, recovered to keep out Marvin Emnes' rebound, then saw Anthony Stokes tap the ball in only to be flagged offside.

Earlier, Blackburn had taken the lead through a superbly executed 17th-minute move that even had Mourinho sportingly applauding from his position in the United technical area.

Emnes carved out the opening with a strong run and skillful move past Marcos Rojo before he slipped through a brilliant pass for teammate Graham who beat Romero with a superb left-foot finish.

It was the first goal conceded by United in 471 minutes of league and cup football and Graham, a journeyman 31-year-old with the 13th club of his career, threatened to join the list of this weekend's FA Cup heroes.