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Blackburn manager Owen Coyle targets FA Cup upset against Manchester United

Blackburn Rovers manager Owen Coyle before the Sky Bet Championship match at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Image: Owen Coyle is optimistic ahead of Blackburn's clash with Manchester United

Blackburn manager Owen Coyle has told his players they need to be at their best when the Championship outfit face Manchester United in the FA Cup.

Rovers sit 23rd in the Championship table but Sunday's FA Cup fifth round offers the club a chance to forget their survival battle.

And Coyle expects his side to rise to the occasion and give themselves a fighting chance to pull off an upset at home to United.

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"To play an elite club like Manchester United is a wonderful opportunity," said Coyle. "Particularly for our young players it's a chance to stand toe to toe with world-class players.

"This game is a chance for some of those players to see how far they've got to go, to say 'maybe I need to hone my craft a little, this is what I need to do'.

"We know if we play to our best and Manchester United play to their best then, ordinarily, they will win. But if they are slightly off that's how shocks are created. It can happen in cup games.

"We need two things to happen - for us to be at our very best and for Man United to be off their game. That can happen in cup games and if it does we have to be ready to maximise our opportunity."

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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers

Coyle's team selection is limited with Hope Akpan and Elliott Bennett suspended after the 2-1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday.

Lucas Joao is cup-tied and Corry Evans and Tommie Hoban are still out with injury, Coyle admits he envies the options United boss Jose Mourinho's disposal.

"I would think given the games they have coming up they will probably change personnel, which probably means they'll be bringing in a Michael Carrick or a Wayne Rooney," he added.

"They're not weakening the team. Regardless if they freshen up, if one drops out the one who steps in is a bona fide international and a player of supreme quality.

"If someone doesn't play and Wayne Rooney does, is that weakening their team? Far from it. The quality of players like Rooney and Carrick is there for everyone to see."

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