Premier League big-guns Liverpool and United set for Cup clash
The bitter rivals clash is the highlight – and the only all-Barclays Premier League tie – of the last-64 draw which was made yesterday afternoon at Wembley.
The last time the two sides met in the FA Cup at Old Trafford, back in January 1999, late goals from Dwight Yorke and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed the Reds a 2-1 win. United went on to win the Treble.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdLiverpool manager Roy Hodgson was understandably frustrated by the draw which will mean that one of the more celebrated clubs in the competition will make a swift exit.
Hodgson's first reaction was to offer a simple "good", through gritted teeth, but he subsequently said that an entertaining occasion awaits.
"It will be an excellent game of football, but it's a bit unfortunate that two Premier League teams of the quality of Manchester United and us get drawn together," he said after seeing his side throw away a lead at White Hart Lane yesterday to lose 2-1 against Tottenham Hotspur.
"I always feel that's a bit sad. But it'll be a cracking game of football. No doubt we'll find ourselves on the television again. We seem to be on every week, so I better get my make-up ready."
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdFellow top-flight big guns Arsenal and Chelsea were granted home ties against Leeds United and Ipswich Town respectively.
The two non-league teams already through to round three were both handed away ties, with York travelling to Premier League Bolton after their win at Darlington and Huddersfield the destination for Dover, conquerors of Aldershot.
Four other teams from outside the Football League took their places in the Cup draw with their second-round ties still yet to be decided.
FC United of Manchester will host Portsmouth if they come through their replay against Brighton, while Crawley will tackle Swindon once more for the right to take on Derby County.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDroylsden, of the Blue Square Bet North Division, face League One Leyton Orient tonight with a trip to Norwich the prize for the winners – while Luton have the biggest incentive, with Tottenham awaiting at White Hart Lane if they can see off Charlton.
Ten further ties will see top-flight sides meet opposition from the npower Championship, with draw-makers Serge Pizzorno and Noel Gallagher celebrating after the rock stars drew their respective teams, Leicester and Manchester City, together for a clash at the Walkers Stadium.
Midlands sides Wolves, West Brom, Birmingham and Aston Villa all face tough away trips to Doncaster, Reading, Sheffield United and Millwall respectively, while Everton travel to Scunthorpe and Wigan face Hull at the KC Stadium. Stoke and Blackburn were drawn at home to second-tier high-fliers Cardiff and QPR, while West Ham host Barnsley, semi-finalists in 2008.
Of the remaining Premier League sides, Fulham host Peterborough, Blackpool travel to Southampton and Sunderland await the winners of the clash between Notts County and Bournemouth while Newcastle travel to League Two Stevenage. Two all-Championship ties came out of the bag, with Coventry hosting Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest travelling to Preston.
Ties will be played over the weekend of January 8 and 9.
Draw for the FA Cup third round
Burnley v Port Vale
Coventry v Crystal Palace
Bristol City v Sheffield Wednesday
Fulham v Peterborough
Doncaster v Wolves
Brighton or FC United of Manchester v Portsmouth
Huddersfield v Dover Athletic
Crawley or Swindon v Derby
West Ham v Barnsley
Reading v West Brom
Arsenal v Leeds
Sheffield Utd v Aston Villa
Leicester v Man City
Bolton v York
Blackburn v QPR
Swansea v Colchester
Wycombe v Hereford or Lincoln
Stevenage v Newcastle
Burton Albion v Middlesbrough
Millwall v Birmingham
Southampton v Blackpool
Watford v Hartlepool or Yeovil
Chelsea v Ipswich
Sunderland v Notts County or Bournemouth
Scunthorpe v Everton
Man Utd v Liverpool
Hull v Wigan
Stoke v Cardiff
Tottenham v Charlton or Luton
Preston v Nottingham Forest
Norwich v Droylsden or Leyton Orient
Torquay v Carlisle
Matches to be played the weekend of January 8-9