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The National (Scotland)

Sport

Robbie Hanratty

FA Cup draw complete: Man United defend crown against Van Nistelrooy's Leicester

Van Nistelrooy Leicester FA Cup EPL Manchester City Manchester United the FA Cup Aston Villa Birmingham City Bournemouth (Organization)

Holders Manchester United have been drawn to face Leicester City, managed by former Red Devils star Ruud van Nistelrooy, in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The match is set to take place at Old Trafford, promising a thrilling encounter as both teams look to advance in this prestigious tournament.

United, who lifted the FA Cup trophy last season after a dramatic victory over Manchester City in the final, advanced with a gritty performance against Arsenal.

Despite being reduced to ten men following Diogo Dalot's red card on 61 minutes, they triumphed in a tense penalty shootout at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

(Image: PA) Van Nistelrooy, a legendary figure at Manchester United and a winner of the FA Cup in 2004, has struggled to make an impact in the league since taking the reins at Leicester. Although, under his guidance, the Foxes showcased their attacking prowess with a commanding 6-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers in the previous round, setting the stage for a highly-anticipated match against his old club which he was caretaker of before Ruben Amorim's recent appointment.

In other notable fixtures, English Premier League leaders Liverpool will face a trip to Plymouth Argyle, who currently sit at the bottom of the Championship. Plymouth pulled off a stunning upset against Brentford, demonstrating their potential to challenge higher-ranked teams.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City will be on the road, facing either Leyton Orient or Derby County, as they look to maintain their strong cup form.

The draw also features three intriguing all-Premier League matchups.

Chelsea, eight-time FA Cup winners, will visit Brighton, while Aston Villa will host Tottenham Hotspur. Additionally, Everton is set to take on Bournemouth in what promises to be an entertaining clash.

Exeter City, making their first appearance in the fourth round since 1981, will face a formidable challenge at home against Nottingham Forest.

Newcastle United, on the other hand, will travel to face Birmingham City, who currently lead League One.

Championship leaders Leeds United will host either Millwall or Dagenham & Redbridge, while Frank Lampard’s Coventry City, semi-finalists in the 2023-24 season, will take on top-flight Ipswich Town.

Several Premier League teams, including Wolves, Crystal Palace, and Fulham, will have to navigate away ties against Blackburn, Mansfield or Wigan, and Doncaster, respectively.

League One promotion contenders Wycombe Wanderers will also face a tough away fixture against either Preston North End or Charlton Athletic.

In a matchup featuring two struggling Premier League sides, Burnley will visit Southampton, who managed to progress past Swansea City with relative ease.

Lastly, Stoke City will host Cardiff City in an all-Championship encounter, promising to deliver its own share of excitement.

As the fourth round approaches, fans eagerly anticipate these matchups, each with the potential for surprises and unforgettable moments in one of football’s most cherished competitions.