VIEW FROM THE PRESS BOX

The newly prolific Diego Forlán and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored the goals that booked United's quarter-final place in a competition that they once treated with disdain, giving them a clear conscience before they focus on the more glamorous assignments that lie ahead.

No one is profiting from their renewed self-belief more than Forlán, who added to his two goals at Anfield on Sunday by dampening Burnley's enthusiasm with an increasingly characteristic finish in the 35th minute. Once a figure of ridicule, the Uruguay forward has now scored six goals from eight starts this season and, to the justifiable smugness of the United manager, is starting to look something like a £7.5 million forward.

By the time Forlán was replaced by Giggs with 15 minutes remaining, Burnley's spirited challenge had long since evaporated. The Nationwide League first division side, who eliminated Tottenham Hotspur in the previous round, made a lively start but could not sustain that momentum against a United team who were not content just to go through the motions.

It was only in midfield, where John O'Shea was unexpectedly employed alongside Michael Stewart, that United were lacking experience, so it was there that Burnley tried to impose themselves in the opening stages. The home team were evidently eager to make up for lost time, having had to wait 15 minutes when the kick-off was delayed because of congestion.

Barely a minute had gone when Robbie Blake sped past Phil Neville, sending in a cross from which Gareth Taylor came within inches of beating Roy Carroll.

The lead prompted Ferguson to introduce Solskjaer in place of Van Nistelrooy at half-time, but Forlán remained a thorn in Burnley's side, setting up half-chances for Stewart and Danny Pugh within minutes of the restart. A delightful dummy created the opening for Pugh but the winger, on his first full appearance, could not beat Beresford.