United to host League One opponents in FA Cup

United will face League One opposition in the third round of the FA Cup for the second successive season after being paired at home to third tier Sheffield United in Monday's draw.

Nigel Adkins Blades sit in mid-table in their league and have beaten non-league Worcester City and then Oldham Athletic to make it this far and set up the tie against Louis van Gaal's side. 

It will be the fifth time the two Uniteds have met each other in the cup and the first meeting at this particular stage.
All four of United's previous FA Cup ties against the South Yorkshire side have been played at Bramall Lane with the Reds winning three- in 1990, 1994 and 1995- and losing the other in 1993,

All three of those cup victories over the Blades led to eventual triumph at Wembley for Sir Alex's United.... an omen for an equally successful tilt this time around??...

Having been drawn at home to lower league opposition, van Gaal and United will be looking to add the FA Cup to the Old Trafford trophy cabinet for the first time since 2004. 

Four of United's five cup ties last season came against sides from outside the top flight, as we saw off one League One duo Yeovil and Preston- as well as League Two outfit Cambridge after a replay- before falling to Arsenal in the quarter finals. 

In the pick of the other third round ties, league leaders Leicester travel to fellow high-flyers Tottenham in a repeat of their fourth round match up last year.

Holders Arsenal hosts Sam Allardyce's Sunderland, Liverpool travel to Exeter and Salford City (or Hartlepool) are at home to Championship side Derby.
Conference Premier side Eastleigh are the only non league side definitely in the draw- they host Neil Lennon's struggling Bolton while Everton play Dagenham&Redbridge or Whitehawk at Goodison Park. 

Neil Redfearn goes back to Leeds with Rotherham as they face former boss Steve Evans whilst the other non league side in the draw- Grimsby- will travel to Cardiff if they can see off Shrewsbury in a replay. 

Finally, spare a thought for the players, staff and supporters of League Two Yeovil who will travel to fellow fourth-tier outfit Carlisle United in the third round- a round trip of nearly 700 miles. No thanks!

The ties will take place on the weekend of the 9th/10th January 2016.