Cup giants Manchester Utd and Arsenal paired in fifth round
FA Cup fifth round draw pairs Manchester United and Arsenal
Also In The News
|
Pervez Musharraf may have called off Pakistan's state of emergency, but the country remains in crisis following the assassination of opposition figurehead Benazir Bhutto. |  |
Monday, 28, Jan 2008 10:40
Two of the FA Cup favourites, Manchester United and Arsenal, will face each other in the fifth round after the draw was made at Soho Square today.
Managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger would both have fancied their chances of lifting the trophy, particularly as they are currently doing battle at the top of the Premier League.
However, the two teams, who have a total of 21 FA Cup trophies between them, will be forced to face-off earlier than expected in what is the tie of the round at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile holders Chelsea, who are still in pursuit of four trophies this season, have been given a relatively straightforward home draw against Huddersfield Town.
Although Avram Grant will be wary of the League One side, who beat Premier League opposition in the third round in the form of Birmingham City.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will also be thankful for a home draw after being paired with Championship side Barnsley.
The draw also threw up two all-Championship ties in the form of Cardiff City versus Wolverhampton Wanderers and a Midlands derby between Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion.
The lowest-ranked team left in the competition - Bristol Rovers of League One - have been rewarded for their longevity with a home tie against Championship side Southampton.
And the final two matches of the fifth round see two potential upsets as Premier League sides face Championship opposition away from home.
Gareth Southgate's struggling Middlesbrough side, who overcame relegation-threatened League Two opponents Mansfield Town in round four, go to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United, while Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth play Preston North End at Deepdale.
Full FA Cup fifth round draw:
Bristol Rovers v Southampton
Cardiff City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Sheffield United v Middlesbrough
Liverpool v Barnsley
Manchester United v Arsenal
Preston North End v Portsmouth
Coventry City v West Bromwich Albion
Chelsea v Huddersfield Town
Ties to be played over the weekend of February 16th and 17th.