United comfortably keep hold of the ball inside the Blackburn half of the pitch as they try to run down the clock. Unsurprisingly, they're not in any great hurry to push forward, and instead they're just trying their hardest to stop the home side from threatening their goal one last time.
90' +2
Blackburn keep pushing forward as they desperately try to find a late goal that would surely result in a replay at Old Trafford, but a threaded through-ball fails to find a white and blue shirt in front of goal and is just about shepherded out for a goal-kick by the under-pressure United back line. Can they hold on?
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be four minutes of added time.
89'
Mata enters the game and replaces M. Rashford.
United have made their final substitution of the game, with Rashford making way for Juan Mata for the last few minutes.
87'
United are controlling possession at the moment as they try to keep the ball as far away from Blackburn as possible. The hosts are looking dangerous every time they push forward and are doing really well to cause the visitors problems.
85'
Blackburn score, but it's ruled out for offside! Mahoney skips his way into the penalty area on a wonderful run before unleashing a thumping strike. It's fumbled by Romero and into the path of Stokes, who then sees his close-range shot saved by the Argentine. It bounces out to Emnes, who is also denied, before Stokes pokes the ball into the back of an empty net from close range, but it's rightly ruled out for offside as soon as the home side start to celebrate.
83'
Mahoney, who has looked bright since coming off the substitutes' bench, swings a low cross into the middle of the United box and towards Lenihan, but the Irishman is unable to make decent contact with the ball and ends up knocking it a few yards wide of the near post with his shin.
81'
W. Tomlinson enters the game and replaces D. Guthrie.
Blackburn have made another attacking alteration as they desperately try to find a way back into the game, with Guthrie making way for Willem Tomlinson.
79'
Emnes muscles his way towards the United penalty area before playing a one-two with Mulgrew, but the midfielder is unable to find the Dutchman and the visitors do well to bring the attacking move to a premature end.
77'
A. Stokes enters the game and replaces D. Graham.
Blackburn have made an attacking change, with Anthony Stokes coming on to replace Graham.
Minute
Description
75'
Z. Ibrahimović has scored a goal for Manchester United! Assist by P. Pogba.
That was an excellent lofted pass from Pogba, and it was the sort that United were missing in the first half. They've looked better since he and Ibrahimovic came on to the pitch, so it's no wonder that they combined to put the visitors ahead.
GOAL! United have taken the lead! Pogba picks up the ball on the halfway line and quickly fires a wonderful pass over the top of the Blackburn defence. Ibrahimovic runs on to it and meets the ball inside the penalty area before spinning and beating Steele with a lovely low shot.
74'
Mahoney makes an immediate impact as he darts forward and wins Blackburn a corner. It's swung into the box and finds the head of Mulgrew, but the midfielder is penalised for a push on Smalling and United are awarded a free-kick.
73'
C. Mahoney enters the game and replaces L. Feeney.
A. Young gets yellow.
Conway tries to embark on a swift counter-attack down the left wing after another United attacking move comes to an end, but Young is there to end his run with a cynical challenge that sees him earn himself a yellow card.
Blackburn have made their first alteration of the game, with Feeney making way for Connor Mahoney.
71'
Herrera goes close! The Spaniard is left in a pocket of space just outside of the Blackburn box and spins quickly before shooting, but Steele gets down low to tip the low strike round the near post and out for a corner.
70'
Big miss by Ibrahimovic! Mkhitaryan charges down the right wing and floats a lovely cross straight into the chest of Ibrahimovic. The Swedish striker controls the ball well but is unable to shoot after completely missing the ball with his attempted volley.
68'
Rashford holds up the ball in a promising position over on the left wing before threading a lovely through-ball into the Blackburn penalty area. Herrera darts into the box and is just about able to meet the ball, but his poked pass towards goal is poor and rolls harmlessly out of play.
67'
Feeney goes close! Guthrie sends an excellent lofted pass over to the right-hand side of the United penalty area, where it finds Feeney in a pocket of space. He takes a quick touch before unleashing a cross-cum-shot, but it flies just wide of the far post after narrowly missing the head of Emnes.
65'
Rashford, who has now moved over to the left wing, cuts inside and powers into the penalty area before shooting, but his low strike is easily blocked and deflected out for a corner that fails to result in a chance on goal.
63'
Ibrahimovic almost makes an immediate impact! Herrera links up well with Pogba before breaking into the box and hooking a cross-cum-shot across the face of goal, but, despite his best efforts, Ibrahimovic is unable to reach the ball with his outstretched leg.
62'
P. Pogba enters the game and replaces J. Lingard.
Z. Ibrahimović enters the game and replaces A. Martial.
United have decided to make a double substitution as they try to find a way back into the game. The first player to come on is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who replaces Martial.
And the second is Paul Pogba, who takes the place of Lingard.
61'
Martial holds up the ball on the left-hand side of the Blackburn box before chipping a delightful cross over towards the far post. It flies over the head of Rashford before being dealt with by Williams, who does well to blast the ball away from goal.
60'
A low cross from Williams fails to beat Young and is deflected out for a corner over on the left wing. Once again it's whipped into the middle of the box by Conway, but the winger's cross is poor and is easily dealt with by Romero.
58'
Young flies into the right-hand side of the Blackburn penalty area on a great run before firing a low pass across the face of goal. It's well stopped by Steele before Young looks to be caught by a late challenge, and it's one that leaves him in serious discomfort.
56'
A looping cross from Feeney almost finds Conway at the far post, but Young rises high to beat the midfielder to the ball and nods it behind for a corner. It's curled into the middle of the penalty area but fails to find a Blackburn player due to a decent catch by Romero.
54'
Rashford embarks on a great run as he flies towards the Blackburn penalty area. He beats three players and then attempts to set up a team-mate with a poked pass forward, but it's a hopeful ball that fails to find a red shirt in front of goal.
52'
J. Lingard gets yellow.
Mkhitaryan weaves his way into the Blackburn box and tries to play a one-two with Lingard, but the pass back to the Armenian is cut out and Blackburn counter quickly through Emnes. The Dutchman darts forward and heads towards the halfway line, but his run is brought to a premature end by a cynical challenge from Lingard, resulting in a yellow card for the United winger.
51'
Mulgrew is penalised for a handball after blocking a pass from Martial, resulting in a free-kick for United. It's taken quickly and sent short before Rashford plays a quick one-two with Darmian on the edge of the penalty area, but the Italian's first touch is poor and sends the ball away from his feet.
49'
Thumping strike by Conway! A curling cross flies into the United box from the right flank and finds Graham, who then chests the ball down to Conway. The midfielder is in a good position in front of goal and quickly unleashes a low shot, but it's well stopped by Romero.
47'
Young is presented with the first opportunity to fire a cross into the Blackburn penalty area, but it's poorly hit by the full-back and comfortably bounces into the hands of Steele.
46'
We're underway once again!
45' +3
Lingard makes a run into the Blackburn penalty area as he tries to latch on to a low pass towards the near post, but he's easily out-muscled by Lenihan and loses out to the big centre-back.
45' +2
Young gets himself in a good position deep down the right flank and swings an even better cross into the heart of the Blackburn box, where it finds Lingard. He rises high and does well to meet the ball, but he's unable to guide his headed effort on target and ends up sending it wide of the far post.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of added time.
44'
United patiently pass the ball around midway inside the Blackburn half of the pitch as they try to find a way through the sea of white and blue shirts in front of them. They're unable to do so, however, and end up conceding a free-kick after Young clatters into Conway.
42'
Poor play by Mkhitaryan! United are presented with a great opportunity to hit Blackburn on another counter-attack after easily dealing with the corner, but Mkhitaryan spends far too long on the ball on the edge of the hosts' penalty area and is eventually dispossessed before he can unleash a shot.
41'
Another good cross, this time from Jason Lowe, causes problems for the United defence before falling nicely to Mulgrew, but the midfielder's first-time shot is deflected off the leg of Herrera and out for a corner.
39'
Unconvincing clearance by Romero! Feeney makes a nuisance of himself as he darts down the right wing on a great run. He then swings a dangerous cross into the heart of the United penalty area that should be easily dealt with by Romero, but it's flapped at by the Argentine and is only just cleared.
37'
Great chance for Conway! A lofted pass forward flies past both Chris Smalling and Young before reaching Conway inside the United penalty area, and the winger then unleashes a first-time half-volley that flies just a yard or so over the top of the crossbar.
36'
Herrera's low cross from the free-kick is a poor one and easily cut out by Danny Guthrie, but the midfielder is unable to carve out a chance on goal for Blackburn after his counter-attacking run is brought to an end by a good tackle from Mkhitaryan.
35'
D. Williams gets yellow.
United keep putting plenty of pressure on the Blackburn back line as they try to find a way in front, and Young is able to win yet another free-kick for his side after being brought down by a cynical challenge from Williams.
33'
Emnes makes his way back on to the pitch and the game gets underway once again. United patiently work the ball around near to the halfway line before Martial unleashes a shot from 25 yards out, but it's deflected away from goal and fails to result in a chance for the visitors.
31'
There's a brief break in play as Emnes receives medical treatment after receiving a blow to the back of the head, but it looks as if he's going to be able to continue after a few moments on the touchline.
29'
Mkhitaryan embarks on another impressive run forward before being brought down from behind by Charlie Mulgrew just outside of the Blackburn penalty area. United are awarded another free-kick in a dangerous position, but the attacking midfielder can only fire his shot straight into the wall camped in front of him.
27'
M. Rashford has scored a goal for Manchester United! Assist by H. Mkhitaryan.
Mkhitaryan's run and pass were both excellent, but Blackburn really should have defended better to deny the Armenian the chance to break forward. They were caught with too many players up the pitch and their back line looked incredibly fragile and disorganised.
GOAL! United have equalised! Blackburn are completely caught out on the break after failing to take advantage of the free-kick. Mkhitaryan bursts through the middle of the pitch on a great run before teeing up Rashford with an even better pass, and the young striker is easily able to round Steele and poke United back into the game.
26'
Matteo Darmian is penalised for grabbing and Blackburn are awarded a free-kick over on the right wing. The set-piece is curled into the penalty area and finds the head of Derrick Williams, but the defender is unable to tee up a team-mate in front of goal.
25'
United keep pushing forward and putting pressure on the Blackburn back line, resulting in them winning a corner over on the right wing. It's swung in by Young and almost finds Rojo, but the Argentine loses out at the vital moment. Mkhitaryan then tries to test Steele from 25 yards out, but his low shot flies a few yards wide of the far post.
24'
Herrera goes close! The Spaniard darts towards the penalty area before teeing up Lingard, who then chips a cross into the middle of the box. It's deflected out of the penalty area and back to Herrera, but his rocket of a shot is well saved by Steele.
22'
Lingard and Martial link up well over on the left flank before the Frenchman curls a dangerous cross into the heart of the Blackburn penalty area. It heads towards Rashford but is easily dealt with by Lenihan, who rises high to easily beat the youngster in the air.
20'
Herrera steps up and curls a cross right on to the head of Lingard at the far post, but the winger is unable to make decent contact with the ball and sends it bouncing straight into the hands of Jason Steele.
19'
Young twists and turns deep down the right wing as he tries to find a way past Conway. The midfielder stays tight to the full-back and eventually dives into a tackle, but it's a poorly-timed one and results in a free-kick for United in a dangerous position.
17'
D. Graham has scored a goal for Blackburn Rovers! Assist by M. Emnes.
That was lovely play by Emnes to set up Graham. The Dutchman has looked bright during the opening exchanges, and he's continually dropped deep to find pockets of space in front of the United back four.
GOAL! Blackburn have taken the lead! Emnes, who has started the game really well, easily beats Marcos Rojo outside of the United penalty area before threading a pass through to Danny Graham, who then fires a great strike past the outstretched hands of Romero and into the top right-hand corner of the net.
16'
Thumping strike by Emnes! Feeney gets himself into a good position over on the right wing, but once again he's unable to pick out a Blackburn player with his looping cross. The home side quickly win back the ball, however, and work it up to Emnes, who then unleashes a great shot from 25 yards out that Sergio Romero does well to parry away with a diving save.
14'
Mkhitaryan concedes possession deep inside the Blackburn half of the pitch and gifts the hosts with a chance to counter quickly. They do so through Liam Feeney, who sprints down the right flank on a great run, but he's unable to swing a cross into the box and loses out to Carrick.
13'
Young charges down the right wing on a marauding run before cutting inside. He easily beats two players as he tries to get a shot away from just inside the penalty area, but he holds on to the ball for slightly too long and is eventually dispossessed.
11'
United keep controlling possession in the middle of the pitch before Ander Herrera sends a lovely pass through the Blackburn defence and into the path of Rashford. The youngster's first touch is a poor one, however, and sends the ball rolling out of play.
9'
Lingard easily out-muscles Conway as he charges towards the Blackburn box. He skips into the penalty area before trying to play a quick one-two with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but there's a breakdown in communication between the United front line and the home side are easily able to deal with the danger.
7'
Ashley Young breaks into the right-hand side of the Blackburn penalty area as he tries to latch on to a loose ball. He rushes towards the byline and marginally manages to beat Darragh Lenihan to the ball, but he's unable to keep it in play and scoops it out for a goal-kick.
5'
Marvin Emnes does well to close down Michael Carrick and is almost able to kick-start a counter-attack for Blackburn near to the halfway line, but, after dispossessing the United midfielder, the referee quickly awards the visitors a free-kick for a foul by the on-loan Dutchman.
3'
United comfortably dominate possession during the opening stages of the game before Jesse Lingard tries to link up with Marcus Rashford over on the right wing. The striker meets the ball well and then attempts to take on Craig Conway, but the midfielder does well to dispossess the youngster before winning Blackburn a free-kick.
1'
We're off! United get us underway, attacking from left to right.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s FA Cup fifth round game between Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United at Ewood Park.
It’s been a great few weeks for United, who head 45 minutes north with four wins from five games as they attempt to protect their FA Cup crown. Last season’s winners have lost just one of their previous 23 clashes across all competitions, with Saint Etienne the most recent side to lose against Jose Mourinho’s in-form Red Devils, who also find themselves battling hard in both the EFL Cup and Europa League.
United have impressed both at home and on the road, with only one of their last nine games away from Old Trafford ending in a defeat. They’ve also enjoyed a comfortable time in the FA Cup so far, with both Reading and Wigan Athletic finding themselves on the end of 4-0 thrashings. As such, they are certainly favourites to come away with yet another win this afternoon.
As for Blackburn, they remain inside the Championship relegation zone and have had little to smile about in recent weeks. Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat away to Sheffield Wednesday was their 16th of the season, but they have looked slightly more confident when playing at home. Three of their previous five games at Ewood Park ended in wins, including an easy 2-0 victory against Blackpool in the last round of the cup.
It’s now almost five years since these two near neighbours last faced one another, and it’s a fixture that United have traditionally dominated. Blackburn last tasted victory against the Red Devils in December 2011, but they’ve lost six of the previous nine meetings between the two sides, including a 7-1 thumping back in 2010.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
Blackburn Rovers substitutes: Raya, Nyambe, Hendrie, Brown, Tomlinson, Mahoney, Stokes.
Manchester United substitutes: Henderson, Shaw, Bailly, Schweinsteiger, Pogba, Mata, Ibrahimovic.
Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): Romero; Young, Smalling, Rojo, Darmian; Carrick, Herrera; Lingard, Mkhitaryan, Martial; Rashford.
Owen Coyle has decided to make four changes to the Blackburn side that started the defeat against Sheffield Wednesday, with Gordon Greer, Liam Feeney, Craig Conway and Marvin Emnes coming into the starting line-up to replace Connor Mahoney, Hope Akpan, Elliot Bennett and Sam Gallagher, respectively.
Meanwhile, United boss Jose Mourinho has made seven alterations to the team that featured in their last outing, with Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Daley Blind, Marouane Fellaini, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all making way for Ashley Young, Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian, Michael Carrick, Jesse Lingard, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: BLACKBURN ROVERS 1-1 MANCHESTER UNITED
It's been a frustrating opening 45 minutes for United, who have dominated possession but have struggled to cause the Blackburn defence too many problems. They only time they were able to was when they comfortably carved open a poorly organised midfielder on a quick counter-attack, with Mkhitaryan and Rashford linking up well thanks to a smart pass from the Armenian. Either side of that, it's been a relatively pain-free afternoon for the hosts, who have defended well after deservedly opening the scoring with a wonderful strike by Graham.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: BLACKBURN ROVERS 1-2 MANCHESTER UNITED
The referee blows his whistle for the final time and sends United in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. They were made to work hard by a spirited and largely well-organised Blackburn side, but, in the end, and thanks to two much-needed substitutions, United were able to break down the home side with what would prove to be the winning goal. Ibrahimovic showcased the type of movement that his side required in the first half, and he was rewarded with a well-worked winner.
Commentary
More…