Soccer

Cambridge United to host Manchester United in FA Cup

Abbey Stadium set for dream fourth-round tie for League Two side

A general view of the Abbey Stadium for Cambridge United’s third-round match against Luton Town. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images
A general view of the Abbey Stadium for Cambridge United’s third-round match against Luton Town. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images
Mon Jan 05 2015 - 21:47

Cambridge United have been handed a dream FA Cup fourth-round tie against 11-time winners Manchester United.

The draw means the lowest-ranked side left in the competition will welcome Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils to Abbey Stadium on the weekend of January 24th-25th.

A total of 79 league places separate Richard Money’s League Two side with the third-placed Premier League outfit.

When Lawrie Sanchez, who famously nodded home the only goal of the 1988 Cup Final for Wimbledon against Liverpool, and grassroots coach Stef Loucaides pulled those names out of the hat live on BBC1 there was an audible gasp at the pairing.

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Another draw that captures the imagination was Chelsea potentially being pitted against London rivals Millwall if the Lions come through their replay with Bradford City.

West Brom have also been given a tasty derby, with them making the short trip to St Andrews to take on Birmingham City.

Holders Arsenal, who eased past last year’s beaten finalists Hull 2-0 on Saturday, will travel to south coast to take on newly-appointed Chris Hughton’s Brighton.

The former Norwich boss kicked off his Brighton reign with a 2-0 win at Brentford in the competition at the weekend, but his side face an altogether different prospect when the Gunners arrive at Falmer Stadium later this month.

Alan Pardew, who is also settling into a new role having swapped Newcastle for Crystal Palace last week, will take his side on the road again to Southampton or Ipswich.

Either Burnley or Tottenham will take on Leicester at home after their thrird-round tie ended 1-1 draw at Turf Moor, while Liverpool will host Bolton after Steven gerrard’s two goals help them win 2-1 away to AFC Wimbledon.

Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth, who currently sit top of the Championship, will test themselves against top flight opposition when they are away to Aston Villa, while Blackburn will do the same at home to Swansea.

Current Premier League champions Manchester City host Middlesbrough, Stoke face a trip to Rochdale, Sunderland host either Fulham or Wolves and either Everton or West Ham will face the winner of Doncaster Rovers and Bristol City away from home.

There are three all-Football League encounters, with Derby at home to either Scunthorpe or Chesterfield, Preston taking on Sheffield United and Cardiff hosting Reading.

FA Cup fourth round draw: Ipswich Town/Southampton v Crystal Palace; Cambridge United v Manchester United; Blackburn Rovers v Swansea City; Chelsea v Bradford City/Millwall; Derby County v Scunthorpe United/Chesterfield; Preston North End v Sheffield United; Birmingham v West Brom; Aston Villa v AFC Bournemouth; Cardiff City v Reading; Liverpool v Bolton; Tottenham Hotspur/Burnley v Leicester City; Brighton v Arsenal; Rochdale v Stoke; Sunderland v Wolves/Fulham; Bristol City/Doncaster v Everton/West Ham; Man City v Middlesbrough.

Ties to be played weekend of Jan 24th/25th