FA Cup

FA CUP holders Manchester United face Arsenal as the Premier League’s big boys discovered their fate in the FA Cup third-round draw.Fans tuned in for Monday night’s action anticipating some juicy ties.The draw for the FA Cup third round has been madeCredit: PAMark Hughes and Dion Dublin did the honours at Old TraffordAnd they got exactly that, with holders Manchester United going to Arsenal and Aston Villa hosting West Ham in two all-Premier League clashes.Elsewhere, Manchester City take on Salford City in a local derby.Chelsea will play host to League Two’s bottom club Morecambe, while Accrington Stanley visit Liverpool at Anfield.Tottenham will take on Tamworth, the lowest-ranked team in the competition, away from home.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile last season’s beaten semi-finalists Coventry City welcome Sheffield Wednesday.All matches will take place over the weekend of January 11, 2025.The 32 winners of the third round will land £115,000, with losers taking home £25,000.And all matches will be completed on the day, with replays SCRAPPED in favour of extra-time and penalties in the case of a stalemate.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMonday’s draw was hosted by Kelly Somers on BBC Two.And the honours were carried at United’s Old Trafford stadium by former Red Devils Dion Dublin and Mark Hughes.’TOTAL NONSENSE!’ Ex-Prem ref reacts as VAR helps Arsenal AGAIN with Saka & Timber calls at West HamThe clear tie of the round is United’s trip to the Emirates to play Arsenal.The two sides are the most successful in the tournament’s history, with Arsenal having won 14 times and Manchester United 13.Former United striker Dublin said: “I think that might be a TV game, what do you think?”They’re the kind of games we need in the FA Cup.”Those all-Premier League ties and Man City’s easy draw quickly saw Pep Guardiola’s side installed as the favourites to win this season’s FA Cup.Other interesting ties include Russell Martin’s Southampton welcoming his former side Swansea to St Mary’s.There’s a London derby between Millwall and Dagenham & Redbridge.While Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle head to the capital to face Brentford.READ MORE SUN STORIESNewcastle were handed a home tie against League Two strugglers Bromley.While another interesting battle sees Bristol travel to Norwich. More

MANCHESTER UNITED are facing a tense reunion with new Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy in SunSport’s simulated FA Cup draw.Every Premier League and Championship side will enter their names into the hat of the third-round draw taking place on Monday night.New Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy looks set to face former side Man Utd in SunSport’s simulated drawRuben Amorim will want to avoid any embarrassments after the 39-year-old sent Van Nistelrooy packing earlier this monthThe third round draw of the FA Cup takes place tonightPep Guardiola needs an easy ride amid City’s recent troublesAnd, in our simulation, reigning champs United – and new boss Ruben Amorim – will come face-to-face with the man who stepped in on an interim basis after the sacking of Erik ten Hag.Van Nistelrooy wanted to drop back into his assistant role after his four game stint as stand-in boss.But he was axed from Ruben Amorim’s coaching staff on the first day of the Portuguese tactician’s arrival.But now he could get the chance to show his old club what they are missing.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIronically, two of Van Nistelrooy’s caretaker wins in the dugout came against Leicester – a 5-2 win in the Carabao Cup, before a 3-0 trouncing in the Prem 11 days later.New permanent gaffer Amorim has his eyes set on winning a trophy during his first season in England – just like Ten Hag did with the Carabao Cup in February 2023.The FA Cup draw will take place at Old Trafford – home of holders United – on Monday December 2 on BBC Two from 7pm.Meanwhile, last season’s runners ups Man City will play Mansfield Town, according to our calculations.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFA Cup clash DELAYED as referee is substituted after injury… with PA appealing for new official over tannoyPep Guardiola’s side are winless in seven, having lost their last FOUR Prem games – an unprecedented rough phase for the once unbeatable champs.But they’re at risk of further embarrassment if they fail to beat League One outfit Mansfield.Arsenal are due to play Brentford in the Prem on News Years Day, and our draw has seen them land each other again just days later.The third-round fixtures are scheduled to take place over the weekend of Saturday 11 January. The Gunners ought to take the FA Cup more seriously this season, with rival fans beginning to question their lack of trophies since Mikel Arteta lifted the esteemed English trophy in 2020.SunSport’s simulator pitted Chelsea to travel to Wolves where they won 6-2 in August, and Reading were handed a nightmare clash against Prem leaders Liverpool.Wayne Rooney faces an blockbuster clash with former side Everton, who are desperate for a change in momentum after they were thumped 4-0 by Man Utd on Sunday.But first, the former Goodison Park academy product has TWO games to save his job at Plymouth Argyle as he faces the axe.Rooney, 39, has seen his Plymouth side win just four of their 18 league games this season since he took charge over the summer.Only two non-league clubs have made it to the third round this year.Dagenham & Redbridge triumphed against League Two’s AFC Wimbledon, while Tamworth claimed a penalty shootout win against League One side Burton Albion.READ MORE SUN STORIESNational League side Tamworth have a home tie against League One’s Leyton Orient on the cards, who narrowly beat Boreham Wood on pens last time out.While Dagenham & Redbridge are set to play host to the mighty QPR.Manchester United beat Man City 2-1 in the FA Cup final in MayWayne Rooney faces a run-in with his former club Everton, according to our simulation More

NON-league side Harborough Town’s FA Cup dream is over – after they were beaten by Reading 5-3 in the second round.And that also means a Tottenham favourite’s chance at a cup run is over too.A veteran midfielder saw his FA Cup dream with Harborough Town endCredit: RexBrave Harborough Town lost in extra time against Reading in the second roundCredit: GettyFormer Tottenham favourite Sandro poses with Harborough Town fans in the standsCredit: PAThe Leicestershire side produced a giant-killing in the first round when they ran out 4-1 winners over Tonbridge Angels.However, their luck ran out at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.They were in dreamland when they took the lead after 18 minutes, and went 2-1 up after 21 minutes were played.Incredibly, they forced extra-time in the 86th minute to make it 3-3.Read more football newsDespite their brave display, two goals in extra time meant they were finally beaten 5-3 after the extra 30 minutes was played.While they may have been disappointed, one player looked proud of his team’s performance.In fact, the 17-cap Brazil international even took time to pose with fans in the stands after the final whistle.Veteran midfielder Sandro, 35, lasted 46 minutes until he was replaced.Most read in FootballSadly for him, his chances of an FA Cup reunion against his former side are over – with Harborough’s exit.Bizarre moment man dressed as Elsa from Frozen sings Let It Go karaoke on pitch ahead of FA Cup first-round clashSandro retired from football in September 2023 at the age of 34 after a career that also saw him star for West Brom, QPR, Udinese, Genoa, and Internacional.However, at the turn of November he dusted off his boots and signed for Harborough Town – much to the delight of manager Mitch Austin.“What an unbelievable signing for the club, I really cannot express how I am feeling,” Austin said at the time.”I had a chance conversation with Sandro a couple of weeks ago and we got talking about football, told him about Harborough Town FC and the journey we are on and he has been messaging me ever since to sign on, totally unbelievable and gobsmacked is how I would describe this signing.Who are these famous footballers?”These sort of signings don’t happen every day but when you get a chance to sign an ex-professional footballer who has played at the highest level in the Premier League and Internationally with Brazil, you just cannot turn it down.”Sandro starred for Spurs between 2010 and 2014, making 106 appearances and scoring three goals.While he also played with Neymar, Ronaldinho, Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, and Marcelo for his country. More

PETERBOROUGH’S goalkeeper had a moment to forget in their FA Cup tie with Notts County.Nicholas Bilokapic suffered a huge howler and then embarrassed himself moments later.Keeper Nicholas Bilokapic slipped as he took a free-kickCredit: X @BBCMOTDNotts County’s George Abbott unleashed an ambitious shotThe ball found the back of the net as Bilokapic ran into the postCredit: X @BBCMOTDThe goalie was left red face as fans mocked himCredit: X @BBCMOTDFirst the keeper slipped as he took a free-kick deep inside his own half, with the ball going straight to County player George Abbott.The midfielder took a touch before unleashing a looping shot that brilliantly ended up in the back of the net.Bilokapic did his best to prevent the goal but in keeping his eyes on the ball he ended up running into his own post.The only silver lining for the goalie was that the goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation as Peterborough closed out a 4-3 win to reach the third round of the FA Cup.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans found the incident hilarious with many mocking Bilokapic after his misfortune.One fan reacted saying: “You should get 2 goals for embarrassing a goalkeeper like that!”Another added: “Keeper’s had an absolute ‘mare there.”A third wrote: “I’m actually starting to feel sorry for this fella 🥺”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd another commented: “What is that goalkeeping?”Another fan commented: “That is actually one of the worst 15 seconds of football I have seen from a single player.”FA Cup clash DELAYED as referee is substituted after injury… with PA appealing for new official over tannoy More

LEYTON Orient had on-loan Tottenham goalie Josh Keeley to thank for forcing extra time in their FA Cup second round match against Oldham Athletic.With the game deep in stoppage time, and the London side facing an unlikely exit to non-league opposition, they were awarded a free kick on the corner of the area.Josh Keeley of Leyton Orient rises high to head home in stoppage timeCredit: RexKeeley wheels off in celebration after saving his sideCredit: RexThe Irish shotstopper, 21, was cheered as he made his way into his opponents penalty box to come up for the opportunity.Amazingly, he managed to get his head onto the whipped in cross and glance into the bottom corner.There was a bedlam from the home crowd, as Keeley wheeled off to celebrate his miraculous strike.Orient were trailing to a Manny Monthe goal – and it appeared they were heading out of the cup.Read more football newsHowever, that all changed with Keeley’s brilliant header in the 99th minute, which meant another 30 minutes would be played.Incredibly, Orient would go on to win the game in dramatic fashion.Forward Dan Agyei netted the winner in the 121st minute, with the visitors awaiting a penalty shootout.But the win wouldn’t have been possible without Keeley’s goal.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Republic of Ireland U21 international joined Orient on loan in August.He started his career at St Patrick’s Athletic, before moving to North London in 2022.Wolves keeper Jose Sa clashes with his own fansAlthough he is yet to appear in the first team, Keeley has starred in the Tottenham’s U21 side.Last season, Keeley enjoyed a loan spell at Barnet, where he appeared 21 times in all competitions.This season, the youngster has racked up nine appearances. More