Fascinating Third-Round FA Cup Ties for Manchester Giants

There are several important dates in the football calendar that come around every year, and that fans will have in their diaries, or certainly in the back of their minds. The date that the new season’s fixtures are announced is one, the first and last games of the campaign, the two transfer deadline days, and the Champions League final are others.

But one of the most exciting times of the year, for fans of big and at least some small clubs alike, is the date of the draw for the third round of the FA Cup. For the real minnows, the qualification, preliminary rounds and even extra preliminary rounds began back in August. However, teams from the Premier League and Championship do not enter the fray until the third round, which typically takes place early in January.

The draw for the third round of the 2024/25 FA Cup has just taken place, on Monday the 2nd of December. The tradition of balls being drawn from the bag is eagerly anticipated by all football fans desperate to see who their club is pitted against. The third-round draw always throws up some fascinating ties, with intriguing subplots and this season is no different.

Everton versus Peterborough could see the Toffees’ Ashley Young come up against his 18-year-old son Tyler. Liverpool versus Accrington Stanley at Anfield is a cracking tie, as is Tottenham versus Tamworth. However, perhaps the two most fascinating ties of the round feature the two Manchester giants, City and United.

Manchester’s two huge teams have been drawn in very different contests for the third round, set to take place around Saturday the 11th of January. Both are intriguing in their own right, with one a clash of the titans and the other a bona fide David and Goliath affair – with the added fascination that the David in question is closely tied to Goliath’s biggest enemy!

Arsenal v Manchester United in Clash of Serial Winners

The biggest tie of the round in any real objective sense pits Arsenal and Manchester United together at the Emirates. Dates, times and the games to feature on TV are yet to be confirmed but it is safe to say that this will be televised live, with matches set to be played on the weekend of the 11th and 12th of January (with games also on Friday and Monday most probably).

United have been in more FA Cup finals, 22, than any other side, but it is Arsenal, with 14 wins (from 21 finals) that trumps the Red Devils’ 13 wins. The Gunners have been victorious in the competition the most, for now at least. The away side will be the underdogs in this one, despite being the defending champions, but if they somehow manage to see off Mikel Arteta’s men, United will fancy their chances of making it three finals in a row. They beat Man City 2-1 last season, gaining perfect revenge for the 2-1 defeat City inflicted on them in the 2022/23 final.

Arsenal last made it to the showpiece game in 2019/20 when they claimed their 14th cup by beating Chelsea by that same scoreline of 2-1. Five of the last nine finals have ended that way, which might be worth bearing in mind come May. Arteta and his side will fancy their chances on home soil but there is no question they would have preferred an easier tie.

Both managers will see their playing resources stretched over the festive period but this is not a clash either will feel they can afford to make too many changes for. It will be interesting to see how Arteta and new United boss Ruben Amorim go about things but one has to feel it will be the hosts celebrating come the full time whistle.

City v City the Most Intriguing Clash Though?

Man City have been drawn at home against League Two Salford City. Pep Guardiola’s side might have suffered an unparalleled run of poor form through November and into December but they remain one of the greatest football teams in the world. For any League Two outfit to be drawn to play at the Etihad is a big deal for the minnows but this game has huge added spice as a local derby.

Less than five miles separates the two clubs but as most football fans will know, this is not just a clash between David and Goliath. Nor is it just a battle between local rivals. Salford City are famously owned by a group of former Manchester United stars and this is, therefore, perhaps the biggest match for Salford in a long, long time, if not ever.

Salford, who were founded back in 1940, originally as Salford Central (before it became a city), are owned by Project 92 Limited. There have been various changes to the people involved at the club but Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs were integral to the takeover, which was initiated at the end of 2013 and fully completed the following year. Along with those two former members of the “Class of ‘92”, Nicky Butt, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes all invested and had active roles (to varying degrees).

In 2019, David Beckham also bought part of the club and with the finance these ex-Man United stars provided, in conjunction with Singaporean businessman Peter Lim (who knew Gary Neville), the Ammies powered up through the divisions. In 2007/08 they had been playing in the ninth tier, and the eighth tier as recently as 2014/15.

However, that season they won the Northern Premier League Division One North and then made it back-to-back promotions via the play-offs the following campaign. Two more consecutive promotions between 2017 and 2019 elevated them to League Two and they have slowly established themselves at that level, making the play-offs in 2022/23 when they enjoyed their highest finish (seventh).

Those associated with the club may have preferred a trip to Old Trafford, though possibly not. However, we can be certain that the red half of Manchester will be 100% behind Salford for this historic clash and will be dreaming of a huge upset.