LONDON – Manchester United will kick off its FA Cup title defense with a challenging match against Arsenal in the third round, a draw that features numerous captivating clashes between teams from the Premier League and those from lower leagues.
One of the highlights includes Tamworth, one of just two non-league clubs in this round, set to host Tottenham Hotspur. Additionally, Manchester City will face Salford City, a team owned by former Manchester United stars such as Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville, known as part of the illustrious “Class of 92.”
Accrington Stanley, currently positioned near the bottom of League Two, will have a tough task as they travel to Anfield to take on Premier League leaders Liverpool. On a different note, Chelsea will take on Morecambe, who sit at the bottom of the same league.
The most noteworthy match is a clash of the FA Cup’s two most successful clubs; Arsenal holds the record with 14 wins, while Manchester United has earned the trophy 13 times. Arsenal’s last victory was in 2020, whereas United triumphed against Manchester City in the FA Cup final last season, marking a consecutive win over their city rivals.
The third round of this renowned competition is scheduled for the weekend of January 11-12, introducing 44 clubs from the Premier League and the second-tier Championship into the mix, alongside the 20 lower-league and non-league teams that progressed from the previous stage.
**Draw:**
Southampton vs. Swansea
Arsenal vs. Manchester United
Exeter vs. Oxford United
Leyton Orient vs. Derby County
Reading vs. Burnley
Aston Villa vs. West Ham
Norwich vs. Brighton
Manchester City vs. Salford
Millwall vs. Dagenham & Redbridge
Liverpool vs. Accrington Stanley
Bristol City vs. Wolverhampton
Preston vs. Charlton
Chelsea vs. Morecambe
Middlesbrough vs. Blackburn
Bournemouth vs. West Bromwich Albion
Mansfield vs. Wigan
Tamworth vs. Tottenham
Hull vs. Doncaster
Sunderland vs. Stoke
Leicester vs. Queens Park Rangers
Brentford vs. Plymouth
Coventry vs. Sheffield Wednesday
Newcastle vs. Bromley
Everton vs. Peterborough
Wycombe vs. Portsmouth
Birmingham vs. Lincoln
Leeds vs. Harrogate
Nottingham Forest vs. Luton
Sheffield United vs. Cardiff
Ipswich vs. Bristol Rovers
Fulham vs. Watford
Crystal Palace vs. Stockport