FA Cup third round draw in full: Arsenal host Man Utd in blockbuster

jamilqaisrani4@gmail.comDecember 2, 2024

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A blockbuster showdown between Arsenal and holders Manchester United will headline the FA Cup third round in January, while a number of lower and non-league sides landed plum draws.

Arsenal vs Manchester United was just the second fixture drawn by former Red Devils strikers Mark Hughes and Dion Dublin at Old Trafford on Monday night, prompting groans from the home supporters in attendance, with the two resurgent teams also set to meet in a high-profile Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.

It marks the second season in a row that the Gunners have drawn heavyweight opposition in the third round of the FA Cup, having lost 2-0 at home to Liverpool at the same stage last season.

National League members Tamworth will host Tottenham after upsetting two League One sides in a row in Huddersfield and Burton to reach round three, while Dagenham & Redbridge – the only other non-league team left in this year’s competition – travel to face Championship outfit Millwall after shock wins over Crewe and AFC Wimbledon.

Manchester City are set to host local fourth-tier side Salford – a club co-owned by Manchester United’s six ‘Class of 92’ members in Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt – in another fixture steeped in narrative, while League Two club Accrington Stanley will head to Anfield to battle Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Chelsea are also at home to League Two opposition in Morecambe in a repeat of the 2021 third round fixture which they won 4-0, while Bromley go to Newcastle in their first-ever third round fixture after edging out Solihull Moors in a repeat of last season’s National League play-off final.

Crystal Palace entertain League One Stockport alongside only a second-ever Yorkshire derby between Leeds and Harrogate. Alongside Arsenal vs Manchester United, the only other all-Premier League affair in the third round will come at Villa Park, where Aston Villa meet West Ham.

Bristol City will be eyeing another upset against Wolves after beating the Hammers last season, while third-tier Peterborough go to Everton and Brentford host a Plymouth team struggling under the management of Wayne Rooney.

Fulham take on Watford, while QPR head to meet Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester at the King Power Stadium and Charlton are on the road against Championship opponents in Preston.

Leyton Orient are at home to Derby after goalkeeper Josh Keeley – on loan from Spurs – scored a 99th-minute equaliser against Oldham on Saturday, with The Os eventually prevailing 2-1 in extra time after another last-gasp goal.