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      Sky Sports legend Jeff Stelling slams FA Cup third-round draw and suggests shock new format for oldest competition

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      JEFF STELLING has slammed the FA Cup third-round draw and suggested a new format for the competition.The Sky Sports legend was unimpressed after Sunday’s draw for the next round.
      Jeff Stelling has slammed the FA Cup third-round drawCredit: talkSPORT
      The third-round draw took place on Sunday, with Arsenal vs Liverpool amongst the ties drawnCredit: AP
      Arsenal vs Liverpool and Sunderland vs Newcastle were the picks of the ties drawn.
      However, Stelling is far from intrigued by the prospect of another all-Premier League clash.
      He told talkSPORT. “I’m not interested in Arsenal against Liverpool in the FA Cup, I see it in the Premier League, not interested at all.
      “What worries me is some of the smaller teams who get through to this stage. You look at Eastleigh and Maidstone, they played five games to get to this stage and they are looking for a bumper payday.
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      “And what happens? They get a rotten draw. No chance of TV coverage by the way, no chance of a big payday.
      “What they need to do is seed the third-round draw of the FA Cup. For goodness sake, it is not too difficult.”
      Sixth-tier Maidstone are into the round three for the first time since 1988 and will host either Stevenage or Port Vale in January.
      Meanwhile, Eastleigh have been rewarded for their dramatic win over Reading with a trip to the winner of Newport and Barnet’s replay.
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      Eastleigh will face either Newport or Barnet after beating ReadingCredit: Getty
      Stelling has proposed a new format which will benefit lower league sidesCredit: talkSPORT
      Stelling is keen for lower league sides to get big draws in the FA Cup and has proposed a new format for the draw.
      He continued: “We have got 20 teams who qualify. They’ve come through round one and round two and all the qualifying rounds before that.
      “You pick them out of the bag, home or away, and then you put the rest of the teams from the Premier League and Championship, all 44 of them, and you pick out 20 of those teams and they will play the lower league sides.
      “So every lower league team gets a bumper payday in the third round, they might get TV as well.
      “And there’s 24 teams left over from the Premier League and Championship. You can still get Arsenal against Liverpool if that’s what you really want.
      “But what you really want is for lower league and non-league sides to have their moment in the sun, to have their big pay-day. Because at the end of the day, the big clubs are only there because of the grassroots clubs.” More

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      Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer reveal their BBC FA Cup TV picks and explain how matches are shared with ITV

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      ALAN SHEARER is hoping to be at Newcastle’s FA Cup clash with rivals Sunerland – either as a fan or pundit. The Tyne–Wear derby unsurprisingly caught the eye of Newcastle legend Shearer and his Match of The Day co-host.
      Alan Shearer is hoping to be at Newcastle’s FA Cup clash with rivals SunerlandCredit: Getty
      Lineker said on the The Rest is Football podcast: “Sunderland versus Newcastle! It’s been a while since one of those.”
      Shearer responded: “I’ve already sent the text message off asking for tickets! What a draw it was, brilliant.
      “Arsenal versus Liverpool and Sunderland versus Newcastle – amazing! Can’t wait. Something to look forward too.”
      Shearer will either be in the punditry box or there watching with the Toon army as Lineker revealed BBC and ITV will pick the game up.
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      He said: “We’ll be doing one of those games, because we obviously alternate with picks with ITV.”
      It will be the first Tyne–Wear derby since 2016 – which ended a draw – and Shearer has already spoken to BBC bosses to try a secure the match rights.
      He said: “I’ve already been on to the top guys about that Gary, we know Arsenal and Liverpool are going to play reserve sides we might as well do Sunderland and Newcastle where we know that no one can really afford to be beaten and won’t put reserve sides out.”
      But Lineker hit back: “No I’ve told them we should do Arsenal versus Liverpool because it’s very cold up north!”
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      Shearer responded: “Oh f*** off, we don’t want that.”
      The pair broke out into laughter and Lineker said: “No I haven’t, don’t worry!”
      Elsewhere, Chelsea welcome Preston North End, Manchester United travel to Wigan and City play Huddersfield at home.
      Gary Lineker revealed how BBC and ITV alternate FA Cup gamesCredit: Alamy More

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      FA Cup third round draw LIVE: Arsenal draw Liverpool in HUGE clash, Newcastle face Sunderland – updates

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      THE FA Cup third round draw has concluded – and what a draw it has been!Arsenal are hosting Liverpool in a mammoth all-Premier League clash in the third round.
      While Newcastle are travelling to local rivals Sunderland, and Manchester United are away at Wigan.

      Start time: From 12.55pm
      TV channel/ live stream: ITV 1/ ITV X
      Draw took place ahead of Eastleigh vs Reading

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      Follow ALL of the latest updates below…

      Non-League Eastleigh defeat Reading
      Eastleigh scored a last-minute winner to defeat League One side Reading in the FA Cup second round!
      Credit: Getty
      Fans left stunned at legend’s outfit during draw
      Arsenal legend Ian Wright drew comparisons to the Michelin man thanks to his huge winter coat.
      Wright was at the Silverlake Stadium as non-league Eastleigh hosted Reading in the FA Cup second round.
      And fans could not take their eyes off the pundit’s massive jacket, which is a Moncler and Adidas hybrid costing nearly £2,000.
      One said: “Ian Wright borrowing the Michelin Man’s winter coat for the live FA Cup game today.”
      Another added: “Are we going to have a chat about Ian Wright’s coat?”
      One joked: “I don’t think Ian Wright’s coat is big enough…”
      Credit: ITV
      First Tyne-Wear derby in seven years
      The FA Cup third round will see Newcastle face local rivals Sunderland for the first time since 2016!
      Credit: Getty
      Man Utd handed away clash
      Erik ten Hag’s side have remarkably been drawn at home in the competition for the past three years.
      However, that Old Trafford streak is now over after they were picked out to play League One Wigan Athletic away next month.
      Last season’s finalists, who were beaten by Manchester City at Wembley, will travel to the Latics on the first weekend of January.
      And some supporters were in complete disbelief after seeing United drawn away.
      One joked: “Man Utd away in the 3rd round. Hasn’t happened since 1752. Proper end of days stuff.”
      Another said: “Away draw on a cup that can’t be right Wigan v Man Utd.”
      “The end must be near,” commented another before adding: “Utd getting drawn away just doesn’t happen.”
      Fans say FA Cup draw is ‘fixed’
      Arsenal fans reckon the FA Cup third round draw is “fixed” after landing a considerably harder tie than their rivals.
      The Gunners will host Liverpool in the pick of the bunch.
      Meanwhile, Chelsea welcome Preston North End, Manchester United travel to Wigan and City play Huddersfield at home.
      It left some Gooners irked and believing the draw was “rigged” and “fixed.”
      One said: “Arsenal vs Liverpool in FA cup third round draw! Whereas man united have Wigan away, Man City have Huddersfield. That is fixed.”
      Another added: “Liverpool in the FA Cup third round. What a surprise. Another year, another rigged cup draw..”
      One fumed: “This FA cup draw is rigged. What are the odds of playing City & Liverpool back to back years in the 3rd round.”
      Another raged: “How about that. ANOTHER rigged FA Cup draw.”
      FA Cup draw in full 2/2

      Crystal Palace vs Everton
      Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa
      Nottingham Forest vs Blackpool or Forest Green Rovers
      Wigan vs Man Utd
      Man City vs Huddersfield
      Blackburn vs Cambridge
      Gillingham vs Sheffield United
      Swansea City vs Morecambe
      Chelsea vs Preston North End
      QPR vs Bournemouth
      Coventry City vs Oxford United
      Brentford vs Wolves
      Plymouth Argyle vs Sutton United
      Maidstone United vs Stevenage or Port Vale
      Newport County or Barnet vs Eastleigh or Reading
      Hull City vs Birmingham City

      FA Cup draw in full 1/2

      Luton vs Bolton
      Shrewsbury vs Wrexham or Yeovill
      Arsenal vs Liverpool
      Stoke vs Brighton
      Norwich vs Crewe Alexandra or Bristol Rovers
      West Ham vs Bristol City
      Tottenham vs Burnley
      Fulham vs Rotherham
      West Brom vs Aldershot or Stockport
      Southampton vs Alfreton or Walsall
      AFC Wimbledon or Ramsgate vs Ipswich
      Peterborough vs Leeds
      Millwall vs Leicester
      Watford vs Chesterfield or Leyton Orient
      Sunderland vs Newcastle
      Sheffield Wednesday vs Cardiff City

      Man Utd get first away draw in YEARS
      Football fans claimed “the end is near” after Manchester United finally landed an away tie in the FA Cup.

      FA Cup draw
      The draw has thrown up some exciting fixtures.
      Read more here:

      Top picks: Arsenal vs Liverpool
      The Gunners will host Liverpool in a huge FA Cup clash next month.
      It’s certainly one of the top picks of the weekend!
      Credit: AP
      Top picks: Tyne-Wear Derby
      Newcastle will make the short trip to face Sunderland in the FA Cup third round.
      It will be the one to watch on the weekend!
      Final picks

      QPR vs Bournemouth
      Coventry City vs Oxford United
      Brentford vs Wolves
      Plymouth Argyle vs Sutton United
      Maidstone United vs Stevenage or Port Vale
      Newport County or Barnet vs Eastleigh or Reading
      Hull City vs Birmingham City

      Next picks

      Wigan vs Man Utd
      Man City vs Huddersfield
      Blackburn vs Cambridge
      Gillingham vs Sheffield United
      Swansea City vs Morecambe
      Chelsea vs Preston North End

      Next picks

      Watford vs Chesterfield or Leyton Orient
      Sunderland vs Newcastle
      Sheffield Wednesday vs Cardiff City
      Crystal Palace vs Everton
      Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa
      Nottingham Forest vs Blackpool or Forest Green Rovers

      Next picks

      Fulham vs Rotherham
      West Brom vs Aldershot or Stockport
      Southampton vs Alfreton or Walsall
      AFC Wimbledon or Ramsgate vs Ipswich
      Peterborough vs Leeds
      Millwall vs Leicester

      First picks

      Luton vs Bolton
      Shrewsbury vs Wrexham or Yeovill
      Arsenal vs Liverpool
      Stoke vs Brighton
      Norwich vs Crewe Alexandra or Bristol Rovers
      West Ham vs Bristol City
      Tottenham vs Burnley

      Here we go…
      The draw is about to start!
      Road to Wembley
      Man City clinched the title last season, but who will be looking to dethrone them?
      Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal will be among the teams gunning for glory.
      Credit: Sunday Times
      All eyes on Eastleigh
      The big draw is taking place just before Eastleigh vs Reading’s FA Cup second round tie.
      So expect it to get underway from 12.55pm.
      We can’t wait!
      Credit: Getty
      FA Cup third round fixture dates
      Fixtures for the third round will take place across the weekend of Saturday, January 6 and Sunday, January 7.
      If scores are level after 90 minutes plus additional time, replays remain in place for the FA Cup third round.
      However, if the reverse fixture is level after 90 minutes plus added time, an extra 30 minutes will be played with the potential for a penalty shootout if there is still no breakthrough.
      Ball numbers cont…
      51. Blackpool or Forest green Rovers52. Cambridge United or Fleetwood Town53. Bolton Wanderers or Harrogate Town54. Wrexham or Yeovil Town55. Crewe Alexandra or Bristol Rovers56. Peterborough United or Doncaster Rovers57. Eastleigh or Reading58. Gillingham or Charlton Athletic59. Stevenage or Port Vale60. Newport County or Barnet61. Oxford United or Grimsby Town62. York City or Wigan Athletic63. Sutton United or Horsham64. AFC Wimbledon or Ramsgate
      Ball numbers cont…
      41. Watford42. West Bromwich Albion43. West Ham United44. Wolverhampton Wanderers45. Maidstone United or Barrow46. Wycombe Wanderers or Morecambe47. Notts County or Shrewsbury Town48. Chesterfield or Leyton Orient49. Aldershot Town or Stockport County50. Alfreton Town or Walsall
      Ball numbers cont…
      31. Preston North End32. Queens Park Rangers33. Rotherham United34. Sheffield United35. Sheffield Wednesday36. Southampton37. Stoke City38. Sunderland39. Swansea City40. Tottenham Hotspur
      Ball numbers cont…
      21. Liverpool22. Luton Town23. Manchester City24. Manchester United25. Middlesbrough26. Millwall27. Newcastle United28. Norwich City29. Nottingham Forest30. Plymouth Argyle
      Ball numbers cont…
      11. Chelsea12. Coventry City13. Crystal Palace14. Everton15. Fulham16. Huddersfield Town17. Hull City18. Ipswich Town19. Leeds United20. Leicester City More

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      Fans left stunned by Ian Wright’s huge £2,000 coat for FA Cup clash as Arsenal legend is likened to the Michelin man

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      ARSENAL legend Ian Wright drew comparisons to the Michelin man thanks to his huge winter coat. Wright was at the Silverlake Stadium as non-league Eastleigh hosted Reading in the FA Cup second round.
      Ian Wright drew comparisons to the Michelin man thanks to his huge winter coatCredit: ITV
      Ian Wright made sure he kept warm on the touchline
      Fans reckon Wright took coat inspiration from thisCredit: Getty – Contributor
      And fans could not take their eyes off the pundit’s massive jacket, which is a Moncler and Adidas hybrid costing nearly £2,000.
      One said: “Ian Wright borrowing the Michelin Man’s winter coat for the live FA Cup game today.”
      Another added: “Are we going to have a chat about Ian Wright’s coat?”
      One joked: “I don’t think Ian Wright’s coat is big enough…”
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      Another said: “Ian Wright wearing a £2,000 designer coat. I’d rather wear a £200 coat that looks good than that hideous thing.”
      Wright would have had one eye on the third round draw as his former Gunners side drew Liverpool at home.
      Meanwhile, Chelsea welcome Preston North End, Manchester United travel to Wigan and City play Huddersfield at home.
      It left some Gooners irked and believing the draw was “rigged” and “fixed.”
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      Liverpool’s trip to the Emirates in January will be a repeat of the 2001 FA Cup final.
      Michael Owen inspired the Reds to victory with two late goals at the Millennium Stadium – the sixth of their eight titles.
      Another tie to look out for is Sunderland against Newcastle – which will be the first Tyne-Wear derby since March 2016. More

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      Fans claim FA Cup third round draw is ‘fixed’ as Arsenal land ANOTHER horror tie with easier games for rivals

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      ARSENAL fans reckon the FA Cup third round draw is “fixed” after landing a considerably harder tie than their rivals. The Gunners will host Liverpool in the pick of the bunch.
      Arsenal drew Liverpool in the FA Cup third roundCredit: ITV
      Meanwhile, Chelsea welcome Preston North End, Manchester United travel to Wigan and City play Huddersfield at home.
      It left some Gooners irked and believing the draw was “rigged” and “fixed.”
      One said: “Arsenal vs Liverpool in FA cup third round draw!
      “Where has man united have Wigan away, Man City have Huddersfield. That is fixed.”
      READ MORE FA CUP NEWS
      Another added: “Liverpool in the FA Cup third round. What a surprise. Another year, another rigged cup draw..”
      One fumed: “This FA cup draw is rigged. What are the odds of playing City & Liverpool back to back years in the 3rd round.”
      Another raged: “How about that. ANOTHER rigged FA Cup draw.”
      Liverpool’s trip to the Emirates in January will be a repeat of the 2001 FA Cup final.
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      Michael Owen inspired the Reds to victory with two late goals at the Millennium Stadium – the sixth of their eight titles.
      Another tie to look out for is Sunderland against Newcastle – which will be the first Tyne-Wear derby since March 2016.
      Ramsgate are the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, sitting top of the Isthmian South East division.
      They played in the preliminary round way back on August 19.
      Ramsgate head to AFC Wimbledon on Monday night with the winner earning a home tie against promotion-chasing Ipswich.
      Ramsgate are bidding to progress into the FA Cup third roundCredit: X @JoeTaylor28 More

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      FA Cup third-round draw throws up Arsenal vs Liverpool clash and huge derby game as Man Utd three-year streak ends

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      ARSENAL will face Liverpool in the standout FA Cup third-round tie.The Gunners play hosts at the Emirates in a repeat of the 2001 final.
      Liverpool head to Arsenal in the best FA Cup third-round tieCredit: AFP
      Michael Owen scored twice when Liverpool beat Arsenal in the 2001 finalCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Erling Haaland helped Manchester City win the 2023 finalCredit: The Times
      Michael Owen inspired the Reds to victory with two late goals at the Millennium Stadium – the sixth of their eight titles.
      But there are few sterner tests in English football than facing Premier League leaders and record 14-time FA Cup winners Arsenal at the Emirates.
      The other blockbuster clash sees Sunderland take on Newcastle in the first Tyne-Wear derby since March 2016.
      Manchester City are the holders of the famous old competition having beaten rivals Manchester United in the 2023 final.
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      Pep Guardiola’s side host Championship side Huddersfield at the Etihad.
      And Chelsea will also be at home against lower-league opposition when Preston make the 466-mile round trip to Stamford Bridge.
      Manchester United’s run of TWELVE domestic home draws finally came to an end as the Red Devils were drawn away at 2013 winners Wigan.
      Ramsgate are the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, sitting top of the Isthmian South East division.
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      They played in the preliminary round way back on August 19.
      The Rams head to AFC Wimbledon on Monday night with the winner earning a home tie against promotion-chasing Ipswich.
      Maidstone have already booked their spot in round three, thanks to a 2-1 upset against Barrow, and the National League South outfit are rewarded with a winnable home draw against either Stevenage or Port Vale who need a replay.
      And there are all-Premier League clashes as Tottenham face Burnley, Crystal Palace host Everton and Wolves head to Brentford.
      The 32 ties will be played on the first weekend in January from Friday 5 to Monday 8 with the 2023-24 final staged at Wembley on May 25.
      FA CUP THIRD-ROUND DRAW IN FULL

      Luton vs Bolton
      Shrewsbury vs Wrexham or Yeovill
      Arsenal vs Liverpool
      Stoke vs Brighton
      Norwich vs Crewe Alexandra
      West Ham vs Bristol City
      Tottenham vs Burnley
      Fulham vs Rotherham
      West Brom vs Aldershot or Stockport
      Southampton vs Alfreton or Walsall
      AFC Wimbledon or Ramsgate vs Ipswich
      Peterborough vs Leeds
      Millwall vs Leicester
      Watford vs Chesterfield or Leyton Orient
      Sunderland vs Newcastle
      Sheffield Wednesday vs Cardiff City
      Crystal Palace vs Everton
      Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa
      Nottingham Forest vs Blackpool or Forest Green Rovers
      Wigan vs Man Utd
      Man City vs Huddersfield
      Blackburn vs Cambridge
      Gillingham vs Sheffield United
      Swansea City vs Morecambe
      Chelsea vs Preston North End
      QPR vs Bournemouth
      Coventry City vs Oxford United
      Brentford vs Wolves
      Plymouth Argyle vs Sutton United
      Maidstone United vs Stevenage or Port Vale
      Newport County or Barnet vs Eastleigh or Reading
      Hull City vs Birmingham City

      Sunderland take on Newcastle in a thrilling showdown at the Stadium of LightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Maidstone United are the lowest-ranked side who have guaranteed their spot in round threeCredit: Reuters
      The FA Cup third-round takes place on the first weekend of JanuaryCredit: AP More

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      ‘Superhuman’ Alex Scott braves Baltic conditions before Alfreton’s FA Cup clash with Walsall is postponed

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      ARSENAL legend Alex Scott was praised for braving the weather to present the BBC’s coverage of Alfreton vs Walsall on Saturday.Scott, 39, had been on air for less than 10 minutes when the FA Cup clash was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
      Alex Scott was presenting for the BBC before the match was postponedCredit: Reuters
      Alfreton vs Walsall was postponed due to a waterlogged pitchCredit: Getty
      The referee called the game off just six minutes before kick-offCredit: Rex
      But fans were quick to praise the former England star for her professionalism.
      One person said: “My ears would be frozen off, Alex Scott is superhuman.”
      While another added: “It doesn’t matter how thick her coat and gloves are @AlexScott looks freezing!”
      The match between Alfreton and Walsall was postponed just six minutes before kick-off.
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      Reacting to the cancellation, Walsall boss Mat Sadler told BBC One: “As soon as I walked out here I thought the game would be off. It’s rock-hard and not getting any warmer.
      “I know they left it as late as possible to see if it could be played, but it looked dangerous to me.
      “I think common sense has prevailed on that one. The game was never going to be played as soon as the covers came off, the goal mouths were rock hard.
      “Right decision to have been called off.”
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      The BBC swiftly dug out a rerun of recycling show Money For Nothing and broadcast it in place of the game.
      Fans were left fuming by the decision as they were eager to watch live football in the absence of a Premier League lunchtime clash. More

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      BBC viewers left devastated as FA Cup clash between Alfreton and Walsall is called off SIX minutes before kick-off

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      ALFRETON TOWN’S FA Cup clash with Walsall has been called off just six minutes before kick-off.The match was set to air on BBC One but a frozen pitch prevented the match from starting.
      Alfreton’s FA Cup clash with Walsall was postponed at the last minuteCredit: Reuters
      Referee Sam Allison explained to the two managers his reason for calling off the clashCredit: Rex
      Alfreton covered the pitch but could not prevent it from freezingCredit: Rex
      Bad weather has wreaked havoc on football fixtures this weekendCredit: Rex
      BBC viewers were left unhappy after Money For Nothing was shown insteadCredit: Rex
      It is a big blow for non-league Alfreton who were hoping to take a League Two scalp on live TV.
      The National League north side even issued an update this morning stating they were confident the match would go ahead so they did not carry out a pitch inspection.
      After the match was called off the BBC swiftly dug out a rerun of recycling show Money For Nothing and broadcast it in place of the game.
      Fans were left fuming by the decision as they were eager to watch live football in the absence of a Premier League lunchtime game.
      read more on football
      One viewer complained: “Turning on the BBC to watch the FA Cup to see a program on upcycling on like what is this?”
      Another added: “@BBC Could you not have put something more football related on in place of the postponed Fa Cup game, rather than Money For Nothing? How about a re-run of the ’66 World Cup final for instance!”

      A third said: “All the football fans at home get a chance to watch money for nothing that was well thought through for sports fans. What are you thinking BBC.”
      And another commented: “Was looking forward to watching this on the TV. Replaced by ‘Money for Nothing’ as the BBC obviously have no football-related content to show instead 🙄”
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      Bad weather has wreaked havoc on fixtures this weekend with Manchester Under-21s vs Tottenham U21s also postponed.
      While the United senior team were forced to travel to Newcastle by coach after their 11am flight was cancelled due to bad weather. More