FA Cup third round: Manchester United defend crown with trip to Arsenal



Manchester United will begin their defence of the FA Cup against Arsenal in the third round of the competition.

Premier League and Championship teams enter the competition in the third round and United have landed a blockbuster tie for their initial fixture in this year’s tournament.

United, now led by Ruben Amorim, will be looking to defend their crown and win a domestic cup for a third straight season.

Before being sent his marching orders, Erik ten Hag led United to FA Cup glory after beating Man City in the final last season. It helped keep his job but the axe would eventually fall after a slow start to the 2024/25 season.

The pressure is now on Amorim to bring United back to previous heights. A cup run would be fantastic, but he knows the Premier League is our bread and butter.

United have a tough tie and will go to the Emirates as underdogs.

Mikel Arteta won the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2020, but that is the only silverware he has won as a manager. He will be looking to add to that this season as Arsenal appear set to mount a title challenge in the Premier League.

United fans will hope this is the start of a cup journey in Amroim’s first season, but the Reds are also still in contention to win the Carabao Cup.

Elsewhere, Liverpool have an early tie for Arne Slot’s first FA Cup clash when they face Accrington Stanley. Pep Guardiola will hope to end Man City’s recent slump when they take on Salford City in early January.

Ties will take place on the weekend of January 11 and 12, as per the FA.

FA Cup third round draw in full

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