MANCHESTER, England -- Three thoughts on Manchester United's 3-1 win over Leicester to move up to third in the Premier League.

1. Odd and unconventional, but United winning again

They rarely look comfortable, they are certainly not orthodox, but Manchester United have a habit of winning games regardless. With a formation that defied numerical description and with several players out of position, Louis van Gaal's team comfortably defeated Leicester City at Old Trafford.

Demons were exorcised here....

BARCELONA, Spain -- Three quick thoughts from the Vicente Calderon as Barcelona's 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid (4-2 on aggregate) puts the Catalans into the Copa del Rey semifinals.

1. Barcelona's great chance to win the Copa

When the madness ended in this fantastic cup tie, around the 50th minute or so, one thing was crystal clear: Barcelona have a great chance now to win this season's Copa del Rey.

Before the game, Luis Enrique had played down the idea that his team already had one hand on...

BRIGHTON, England -- Three quick thoughts on Arsenal's 3-2 win at Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday afternoon.

1. Arsenal on a mission

It didn't fit with the shock patterns of this FA Cup weekend, but Arsenal's 3-2 win over Brighton and Hove Albion does suggest something might be building for their season. Arsene Wenger's side seemed so assured from the outset after last week's mood-changing 2-0 win over Manchester City and had what must be one of its smoothest attacking performances...

LONDON -- Three thoughts from Chelsea's embarrassing 4-2 defeat to League One side Bradford City at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup fourth round Saturday.

Chelsea

Bradford City

2

4

FT

Game Details

• GameCast
• Lineups and Stats

1. Bradford shock sorry Chelsea

Jose Mourinho said he would be in disgrace if he lost this tie. Such a fate now awaits him. "I am ashamed," he admitted straight afterwards, also affirming that this was the worst defeat of his managerial career with a simple "yes" when the question was asked.

Two goals clear, then 3-2 down, then 4-2. Bradford...

LONDON -- Three thoughts on Leicester's 2-1 win vs. Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round Saturday.

1. Leicester finally get what they deserve

Unlike so many of the teams who have propped up the Premier League in recent years, Leicester City aren't actually that bad. They have shape, discipline, pace and determination. What they don't have is luck.

All too often, they are beaten by a single goal, compromised by a solitary mistake or held back by an opponent's heroic moment of defiance. For so long,...

CAMBRIDGE, England -- Three thoughts from Manchester United's 0-0 draw with Cambridge United in the FA Cup fourth round.

1. Back to Old Trafford

Louis van Gaal was unhappy. Manchester United fans were unhappy. This was not a night that went in any way to plan. Manchester United may now be the second-biggest earners in football, as announced by Deloitte this week, but Cambridge United, the lowest-ranked team left in the FA Cup, gave them a run for all that money. A team of free transfers held...