United to host Arsenal

Manchester United and Arsenal have been drawn against each other in the FA Cup fifth-round draw.

Manchester United and Arsenal have been drawn against each other in the FA Cup fifth-round draw.

The two sides have been doing battle at the top of the Barclays Premier League for much of the season and their meeting at Old Trafford means at least one of the remaining six top-flight sides will drop out before the next stage.

Holders Chelsea have been drawn against League One side Huddersfield at Stamford Bridge, while Liverpool have a home draw with Barnsley.

Frank Stapleton, who played for both Arsenal and United, believes the game will be a great occasion between two sides packed with flair.

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"The big rivalry is there but both teams want to entertain and to score goals," he told Sky Sports News. "People felt after the weekend's games that two of the big four might meet and that's what has come out.

"Who is going to win it is another question."

But although it is sure to be a keenly-fought match, Stapleton believes the staging of the match at Old Trafford could swing it the way of Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

"It's a great competition as we know and you just feel when you get to this stage of the draw and you get a big team you want a home draw - that's a big advantage."

Sheffield United manager Bryan Robson has no fears about taking on his former club.

The Blades' reward for their 2-1 win over Manchester City is a third successive clash against Premier League opposition, with the Teessiders due to visit Bramall Lane.

United boss Robson said: "It's a very interesting draw. It's one the lads are entitled to think they are in with a chance of winning after beating two Premier League sides already.

"Personally, I've still got a lot of good friends at Middlesbrough, including Steve Gibson, and it will be nice to see them again.

"The association with Middlesbrough brings up some happy memories of reaching the FA Cup final."

Robson, manager at the Riverside from May 1994 to December 2000, led Middlesbrough to the final in 1997 when they lost 2-0 to Chelsea.

FA Cup draw

Bristol Rovers v Southampton
Cardiff  v Wolves
Sheff Utd v Middlesbrough
Liverpool v Barnsley
Manchester United v Arsenal
Preston v Portsmouth
Coventry  v West Brom
Chelsea v Huddersfield