Manchester United were drawn away to holders Chelsea in the 5th Round of the FA Cup in what seems to be the plum tie of the round.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reward for beating Reading in the 3rd Round and Arsenal in the 4th Round looks set to be United’s toughest test yet – away at Stamford Bridge against a Chelsea side that have strengthened in January with the loan signing of striker Gonzalo Higuain from Juventus.
Manchester City have had an easier route to the 5th Round – thrashing Rotherham United 7-0 in the 3rd Round before despatching Burnley 5-0 in the 4th Round at home.
City will have to wait for the result of the replay between Championship Middlesbrough and League Two Newport County before they know where they will have to travel for their tie.
There are only 7 Premier League clubs left in the draw this season after the competition threw up some cup upsets along the way.
Wolves require a 4th Round replay against Shrewsbury to earn the right to travel to Bristol City while the all-Premier League tie between Chelsea and United ensure that at least one of the top flight club won’t be qualifying for the Quarter final.
The possibility of a Manchester derby in the FA Cup Quarter Finals to replace the Manchester derby in the league remains feasible even though the odds of the Reds lifting the FA Cup in Solskjaer’s spell as interim manager have drifted since the draw was made.
Full FA Cup 5th Round Draw
Bristol City vs Shrewsbury/Wolverhampton Wanderers
AFC Wimbledon vs Millwall
Doncaster Rovers vs Crystal Palace
Middlesbrough/Newport County vs Manchester City
Chelsea vs Manchester United
Swansea City vs Barnet/Brentford
Portsmouth/Queens Park Rangers vs Watford
Brighton and Hove Albion/West Brom vs Derby County
Ties to be played between February 15-18