BLACKBURN Rovers boss Owen Coyle felt his players were a credit to themselves for the performance they put in against Manchester United.

Rovers were edged out 2-1 by the holders who progressed in to the last eight courtesy of goals from Marcus Rashford and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

That came after Danny Graham handed Rovers a 16th minute lead with a well taken finish after terrific build-up play from Marvin Emnes.

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Rovers had chances at 1-1 to re-take the lead, while Sergio Romero made a terrific double-save late on as the hosts pressed for an equaliser.

And Coyle said: “I think when you analyse the game we performed very well.

“I would probably suggest that on another day we could well have had another crack at them in terms of getting a replay.

“We were outstanding – and we were going to have to be – because their quality was there for all to see, the pace and the power, and we had to work ever so hard in the game to try and cope with that.

“We scored a wonderful team goal, but we always knew that we were going to have to withstand pressure at various times.

“For the most part we coped with it, and even at 1-1 we had chances.

“Our performance was of a high calibre.  I have to thank the fans as well who backed us from the first whistle to the last.

“The introduction of Ibrahimovic and Pogba showed the respect that they showed us.”

Rovers scored a terrific opener through Graham, and looked a threat all afternoon.
Coyle was slightly disappointed by the way in which the two goals were conceded, however, adding: “Everyone who watched us knows that we can pass and move, create chances and score goals.

“Defensively, we need to do better, and we know that.

“There’s now getting away from it, although it was Manchester United, I still felt we gave up a couple of goals that we could have avoided, but we also have to respect the quality that they have.

“There was a lot for us to be pleased about.”

Coyle said in the build-up that his side would need to be at their best, and Manchester United slightly below theirs, if they were to cause an upset.

And he added: “If Manchester United had an off day they would have been out.

“But I actually thought they played very well.

“Not so much their goalscoring chances, but the pressure they had around the box because at any given time they can produce something magical.

“We withstood that, and when you look back we had some great chances, played some great football, and that was pleasing to see.”