Explainers

MANCHESTER UNITED host Fulham in a MASSIVE clash in the FA Cup fifth round.Defending champions, United will be hoping to successfully defend the title despite a disappointing start to life under Ruben Amorim.It has not been the ideal start to life in Manchester for Ruben AmorimCredit: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty ImagesMan United have beaten Fulham 1-0 twice already this seasonCredit: Richard Heathcote/Getty ImagesWhile Marco Silva’s Fulham are pushing to secure European football, the Cottagers sit ninth in the Premier League, four points off Chelsea in fifth.Man Utd left it late to beat Leicester in the fourth round, so Silva will be hoping his side’s extra quality can get them into the last eight.Man Utd ratings vs Ipswich as Maguire saves the day after Onana makes case to be WORST ever signingMANCHESTER UNITED eased their fears of the drop in a topsy-turvy relegation six-pointer with Ipswich.The Red Devils triumphed 3-2 despite playing the second half with ten men.A major cock-up from Patrick Dorgu and Andre Onana saw Ipswich take a third-minute lead through Jaden Philogene.Then, after United had recovered to lead 2-1, Dorgu saw a straight red card for a poor challenge on Omari Hutchinson.Philogene scored again to level it before the break only for Harry Maguire to nod in to be United’s saviour.But who was United’s best player on the night?Here, SunSport’s Phil Thomas reveals his Manchester United player ratings…How to watch Man United vs Fulham for FREEFulham’s trip to Old Trafford will be available for FREE for viewers in the UK.The game will be live on BBC One, and available for stream on BBC iPlayer.Alternatively, follow along with SunSport’s coverage of United vs Fulham with our live blog!Kick-off at Old Trafford will be at 4:30pm GMT.What other FA Cup games are there this round?Six fixtures have already been and gone, with this being the penultimate fixture of the fifth round.Read more FootballTomorrow night, Nottingham Forest will host Ipswich, live from the City Ground at 7:30pm GMT on ITV4 and ITVX. More

NEWCASTLE and Brighton tangle in HUGE FA Cup fifth round tie at St James’ Park.The Toon will have a chance to win a trophy in the Carabao Cup this season, but they have another competition to focus on before their day out at Wembley.Callum Wilson helped fire Newcastle into the FA Cup fifth roundCredit: GettyKaoru Mitoma scored the winning goal for Brighton against Chelsea in the fourth roundCredit: GettyNEWCASTLE VS BRIGHTON LIVEThe Seagulls knocked out Chelsea in the fourth round of the FA Cup and will face a tough trip to their top four rivals today.Fabian Hurzeler already has a win at St James’ Park under his belt this season, winning 1-0 there during Brighton’s fast start to the 24/25 season.How Howe turned Toon around WITHOUT Saudi billionsBY GARY STONEHOUSEEDDIE HOWE has got “the richest club in the world” fighting for honours regularly again despite not being able to blow the big Saudi bucks.The 47-year-old achieved legendary status at Bournemouth by guiding the then-skint Cherries all the way from League Two into the Premier League promised land.Now he is potentially on the verge of writing his name into Newcastle’s history books if he can end their 70-year wait for a major trophy.Howe came mightily close two years ago when he and the Magpies suffered heartbreak in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United.Qualifying for the Champions League with a fourth-placed finish softened that blow, and now he is eyeing more than just another Wembley outing as he takes Toon to Arsenal for the first-leg of the Carabao Cup semis.Of course, it has been nothing like those early days at Bournemouth for Howe since he took charge in November 2021 just weeks after their Saudi takeover.There was a big outlay that January transfer window in order to assure the club’s Premier League status, but despite reaching the Champions League, PSR rules have delayed their path straight to football’s top table.Though, despite the purse strings being tightened and even being forced to sell young starlets against his wishes, Howe still has Newcastle punching with the big boys for silverware.The question is though – how has he done it and how far can he go?How to watch Newcastle vs Brighton for FREENewcastle and Brighton, for viewers in the UK, is completely FREE to watch!Eddie Howe’s side will take on the Seagulls live on ITV1 and ITVX.Alternatively, keep up to date with SunSport’s play-by-play coverage of the match.The game will be played on Sunday, March 2 at 1:45pm GMT.Read more FootballWhat other FA Cup games are on in this round?There are still two more games to go in this round of the FA Cup:Man United vs Fulham – Sun, Mar 2 – 4:30pm GMT – BBC OneNottingham Forest vs Ipswich – Mon, Mar 3 – 7:30pm GMT – ITV4 More

THE FA Cup quarter-final draw will take place TONIGHT!Some huge names remain in the competition despite numerous giant killings in previous rounds.The FA Cup is heading towards the business end of the competitionCredit: GettyDefending champions Manchester United take on Fulham in their fifth round tie this evening.And fans won’t have to wait much longer for the FA Cup quarter-final draw.When is the FA Cup quarter-final draw?The draw for the FA Cup quarter-final will take place on Sunday, March 2.Proceedings will get underway following the conclusion of Man Utd vs Fulham.The draw is expected to begin at around 6.30pm GMT.That said, should the fifth round tie require extra time or potentially penalties, the draw will take place a little later.How to watch FA Cup quarter-final draw for FREEThe FA Cup quarter-final draw will be broadcast live on BBC One.You can live stream the show for FREE via the BBC iPlayer.The FA will also provide free coverage of the draw through their official social channels.Former Man Utd defender Denis Irwin and ex-Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy will be making the draw.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFA Cup quarter-final ball numbersHere are the all-important ball numbers for the FA Cup quarter-final draw:1. Preston North End2. Aston Villa3. Crystal Palace4. Manchester United or Fulham5. Newcastle United or Brighton & Hove Albion6. AFC Bournemouth7. Manchester City8. Nottingham Forest or Ipswich TownFA Cup fifth round schedule and resultsFriday, February 28Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff CityMost read in FA CupSaturday, March 1Crystal Palace 3-1 MillwallPreston North End 3-0 BurnleyBournemouth 1-1 (5-4 pens) Wolverhampton WanderersManchester City 3-1 Plymouth ArgyleSunday, March 21.45pm – Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion4.30pm – Manchester United v FulhamMonday, March 37.30pm – Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town More

THE FA Cup is heading towards the business end of the competition.Clubs will be setting their sights on a trip to Wembley by claiming a quarter-final place, which would put them within one stage of reaching the home of English football.The FA Cup is heading towards the business end of the competitionCredit: GettyAfter Plymouth Argyle’s outstanding win against Premier League leaders Liverpool, their FA Cup run didn’t get any easier, with a trip to the Etihad to face Manchester City on Saturday.The Championship side stunned Pep Guardiola’s side in the first half after defender Maksym Talovierov converted the opener.But unlike their fairytale win against Liverpool, Plymouth failed to hold on, and City ran out 3-1 winners on the night.Later today, Manchester United host Fulham in one of the three remaining FA Cup fifth-round ties.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSunSport brings you all the details you need ahead of the quarter-final draw.When does the FA Cup quarter-final draw take place?The draw will take place on Sunday, March 2. This is following Manchester United vs Fulham, with the draw set to start at 6.30pm GMT approx.How to watch the FA Cup quarter-final draw for FREEThe FA Cup quarter-final draw will take place on BBC One after the United and Fulham match has concluded. You can live stream the draw for FREE via the FA Cup’s YouTube channel.Alternatively, you can find out all the ties as they are drawn by following SunSport’s live blog.Most read in FA CupFA Cup fifth round fixtures and resultsFriday, February 28Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff CitySaturday, March 1Crystal Palace 3-1 MillwallPreston North End 3-0 BurnleyBournemouth 1-1 (5-4 pens) Wolverhampton WanderersManchester City 3-1 Plymouth ArgyleSunday, March 21.45pm – Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion4.30pm – Manchester United v FulhamMonday, March 37.30pm – Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town More

PLYMOUTH travel to English champions Manchester City, looking to pull off another MASSIVE cup upset!The Pilgrims pulled off one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history in the fourth round, knocking out Arne Slot’s Premier League-leading Liverpool.It has been an underwhelming season for Pep Guardiola and Manchester CityCredit: Julian Finney – UEFA/UEFA via Getty ImagesPlymouth will be looking to pull off another massive upset against Manchester CityCredit: Isabelle Field/Plymouth Argyle via Getty ImagesIn a very disappointing season for Pep Guardiola and City, the FA Cup represents the only chance the Cityzens have at winning a trophy in 2024/25.City conceded one of the best FA Cup goals of all time away at Leyton Orient but bounced back to scrape through 2-1 against the League One side, setting up their tie with Plymouth today.How to watch Man City vs Plymouth for FREEMan City vs Plymouth is available to watch for FREE in the UK!The game will be shown live on ITV4 and ITVX.Alternatively, follow SunSport’s live coverage of the game!The fifth round tie will kick off at 5:45pm GMT on Saturday, March 1.What other FA Cup games are on this weekend?There are still three HUGE FA Cup ties to come on Sunday, March 2 and Monday, March 3:Read more FootballNewcastle vs Brighton – Sun, Mar 2 – 1:45pm GMT – ITV1Man United vs Fulham – Sun, Mar 2 – 4:30pm GMT – BBC OneNottingham Forest vs Ipswich – Mon, Mar 3 – 7:30pm GMT – ITV4 More