FA Cup: Man United Confront Liverpool

• In massive 4th round cracker

Two of England’s biggest and most successful football clubs, Manchester United and Liverpool are locked in what promises to be the star match of this year’s FA Cup fourth round pairings.

Interestingly, both sides will be meeting in the Premier League on Sunday, January 17, before their FA Cup face-off a week later.

On their part, holders Arsenal, who required extra time to beat Newcastle for the fourth round berth, will make a trip to either Southampton or Shrewsbury in continuation of their title defence.

Strikingly for minnows Chorley, they will be seeking to put on the giants-killer toga when confronting Premier League big guns, Wolverhampton Wanderers, popularly called Wolves in their fourth round tie.

Chorley, a National League North side, dumped Derby out of the competition and should they progress beyond Wolves will face a potential clash with holders Arsenal in the fifth round.

The FA decided on holding the fourth and fifth round draws same day to aid fixture scheduling due to the condensed, coronavirus-affected football season.

Already, the fourth round matches are scheduled for the weekend of January 23, with the fifth round holding in the week of February 8, 2021.

For 2019 champions, Manchester City, who eased into the fourth round courtesy of a comfortable win over Birmingham, they have a trip to Cheltenham.

Though Liverpool currently lead the pack in the Premier League, they have not won the FA Cup since 2006. They were lucky to ease past a depleted Aston Villa side in round three to set up a clash with big rivals Manchester United who have started 2021 in style.

Chelsea, who snapped a poor run of form over the Christmas and New Year period, saw off Morecambe to set up a meeting with Luton Town.

For causing one of the biggest surprise in dumping Premier League side Leeds out of the competition, Crawley were rewarded with a clash against Bournemouth. There is also the likelihood of a meeting with Fulham or Burnley in the fifth round. – With Goal.com reports