Jose Mourinho claimed that Chelsea are the favourites for next month’s FA Cup quarter-final because they are not suffering from the kind of fixture congestion that he believes is threatening to drag Manchester United down.

In the wake of a narrow 2-1 win at Blackburn, the United manager said his mind was too full of the club’s upcoming commitment to even think about a return to Stamford Bridge.

“I have no reaction,” he said. “I have to play St Etienne on Wednesday, I have to play the League Cup final on Sunday. I have to play hopefully another opponent in the Europa League. We have to fight for a top-four position in the Premier League.

“Chelsea can only think about the FA Cup because they are champions and have nothing else to fight for.”

Antonio Conte might disagree with Mourinho that his side are already champions but the Chelsea manager has every right to feel confident about overcoming United. The last time the two sides met in October, Chelsea’s 4-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge represented Mourinho’s heaviest league defeat of his managerial career. Manchester United have won twice at Stamford Bridge in 15 years.

Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Jason Steele – 6 out of 10 Made a handful of important saves throughout, but was beaten by Rashford and Ibrahimovic. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Jason Lowe – 6 out of 10 His sliding tackles were on point and he stopped a number of United attacks. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Gordon Greer – 5 out of 10 Caught out of position at times and failed to keep up with the pace of the United forwards. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Darragh Lenihan – 6 out of 10 He held his own out there against a class opposition. Used possession well when he had the opportunity. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Derrick Williams – 6 out of 10 Drifted in and out of the game at times – failed to make a real impact. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Liam Feeney – 7 out of 10 His lightning pace caused United problems and he relentlessly pumped balls into the box. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Danny Guthrie – 5 out of 10 Did not create any chances going forward and he continued to back out of challenges throughout. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Charlie Mulgrew – 6 out of 10 His over-the-top through balls were opening the United defence. He worked relentlessly. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Craig Conway – 7 out of 10 When he ran at the United players, he caused problems. He oozed confidence in possession. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Marvin Emnes – 7 out of 10 He assisted Graham’s opener and make a nuisance of himself throughout. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Danny Graham – 6 out of 10 His opener gave Blackburn a lease of life, but it wasn’t enough to secure them their place in the quarter finals. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Sergio Romero – 6 out of 10 Could not do anything to deny Graham’s goal. Aside from that, he made a few vital saves. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Ashley Young – 7 out of 10 Looked exceptional going forward. Pacey, used possession well and his deliveries were tremendous. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Chris Smalling – 5 out of 10 Made a number of mistakes throughout – was caught napping for first goal. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Marcos Rojo – 6 out of 10 He covered well, looked alert and kept his shape well at the back. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Matteo Darmian – 6 out of 10 Feeney caused him problems, but he dealt with them relatively well and defended bravely. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Ander Herrera – 6 out of 10 He looked menacing going forward and he continued to thread balls through to the forwards. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Michael Carrick – 6 out of 10 His long balls opened up the Blackburn side, he tracked back well and his work rate was faultless. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Jesse Lingard – 5 out of 10 It was a quiet display for a man of such quality, but he did show glimpses of excellence going forward. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 8 out of 10 His moment of magic created the first goal and he continued to create chances throughout. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Anthony Martial – 5 out of 10 He was incredibly quiet in the first half and was subbed in the second as a result. Blackburn vs Manchester United player ratings Marcus Rashford – 7 out of 10 He took his goal in sublime style and continued to make a menace of himself throughout.

While Mourinho had been critical of his players in the wake of Thursday’s 3-0 win over St Etienne in the Europa League, he thought Saturday’s shocks that saw Burnley and Leicester eliminated by Lincoln and Millwall had concentrated United’s minds against a side that are 23rd in the Championship.