Man United Arsenal Cup: Premier League heavyweights clash in thrilling third-round FA Cup ties

Manchester United will kick off their FA Cup title defence with a highly anticipated visit to Arsenal in the third round, as the competition’s draw promises to deliver a series of captivating matchups. The third round will take place over the weekend of January 11-12, with Premier League giants drawn against lower-league sides for some intriguing encounters.

The opening fixture sees Manchester United, the defending FA Cup champions, face Arsenal, a team with 14 FA Cup trophies — the most in the competition’s history. United, with 13 titles to their name, won the coveted trophy in 2024 by triumphing over Manchester City in a thrilling final. This clash between two of the competition’s most successful teams adds an extra layer of excitement to the tournament.

In other notable draws, Premier League leaders Liverpool will host Accrington Stanley, who are languishing near the foot of League Two. Chelsea, meanwhile, will face Morecambe, the League Two strugglers, in what looks set to be a one-sided affair.

Among the standout lower-league matchups, non-league club Tamworth will get the chance to host Tottenham Hotspur, one of the Premier League’s top sides, in what could be a historic day for the underdogs. Another eye-catching tie features Salford City, owned by the famed “Class of 92” — including Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville — facing Manchester City. This encounter promises to be a spectacle, as Salford City looks to take on the city’s top team in a David vs. Goliath showdown.

As always, the third round will feature 44 clubs from the Premier League and Championship, joined by 20 lower-league and non-league sides who emerged victorious in the previous round. This mix of top-tier teams and underdogs ensures that the FA Cup will once again deliver its trademark drama and unpredictability.

The third round of the FA Cup is traditionally one of the most exciting stages, as the competition brings together clubs of all sizes, each eager to make their mark. For Manchester United, the trip to Arsenal will be a tough test, but their victory in the 2024 final proves their readiness to defend the trophy. Arsenal, who lifted the FA Cup most recently in 2020, will no doubt be eager to claim their 15th title and assert their dominance once more.

The third round draw marks the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey towards the coveted FA Cup final, set for later in the year. As the competition progresses, all eyes will be on the Premier League giants, as well as the lower-league sides looking to cause upsets and create their own piece of history.