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FA Cup third round draw – Greater Manchester clubs drawn out of the hat

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THE draw for the third round of the FA Cup took place last night as the tournament welcomes sides from the top two tiers of English football.

There was just four clubs from around Greater Manchester who were pulled out of the hat as a number of eye-catching ties were made by ex-professionals Glenn Hoddle and Jermaine Jenas. 

The four representatives from Greater Manchester in the next round are Manchester United and Manchester City, who received favourable home ties against Derby County and Burnley respectively.

Championship struggler’s Bolton are also at home to Premier League opposition in Huddersfield Town.

Whilst, League One hopefuls Rochdale travel to Doncaster Rovers, after the Dale saw off Slough Town of the Southern Football League Premier Division in a 4-0 victory last night. 

Manchester City v Burnley

Manchester City are a formidable opponent for anyone this season. Top of the Premier League table and also heading up their Champions League group, as well as into the quarter-finals of the League Cup, Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in all competitions this season. They will be looking to keep up this form on a fourth front in January’s third round.

Burnley are no pushovers themselves. Sitting seventh in the league, they are top of the tree outside of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ and are level on points with Tottenham. Sean Dyche’s team are likely to pose a strong test to City, although the sky blues came out on top when the two sides met at the Etihad in October.

 

Manchester United v Derby County

Across the City, Manchester United will host Championship outfit Derby County as they bid to equal Arsenal’s record of 13 FA Cups.

United encountered the Rams two seasons ago on their way to winning the tournament in 2016 under Louis van Gaal, with the reds running out 3-1 winners at Pride Park.

The two sides also met in the competition in the 2008/09 season, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side romping to a 4-1 victory in the fifth round.

Despite coming in for criticism for some of their performances this season, United currently occupy second spot in the Premier League and are also top of their Champions League group. Gary Rowett’s Derby are on the hunt for promotion this season and are currently sitting in the final play-off spot.

Bolton Wanderers v Huddersfield Town

Bolton have a cup tie against Premier League opposition to look forward to as Huddersfield Town travel to the Macron Stadium.

They will hope a potential run in the cup could improve their league form in a season in which they have been flirting with relegation.

Wanderers have the far superior record in this fixture in the FA Cup, winning five of their six encounters and drawing one.

The Terriers have come out on top in recent meetings between the sides though, completing a league double over Bolton last season on their way to earning promotion from the Championship.

Doncaster Rovers v Rochdale

An all-League One clash is set to take place at the Keepmoat Stadium as Rochdale were handed an away trip to Doncaster Rovers.

Dale avoided a massive upset in the second round as they defeated seventh-tier Slough Town 4-0 to end the non-league side’s cup run, while Rovers were 3-0 winners over Scunthorpe United.

The two sides have already met twice this season with Dale coming out on top in both encounters, emerging 2-1 victors in a league encounter before winning a Checkatrade Trophy clash on penalties.

Third round matches are set to take place between Friday 5th and Monday 8th of January 2018, with exact kick-off dates and times yet to be announced.

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You can watch the full draw from last night here:

 

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