Man United opens FA Cup title defence at Arsenal

Associated Press London: Manchester United will start its FA Cup title defence with a trip to Arsenal in a third-round draw containing a host of intriguing English Premier League vs. lower league matchups. Among the best were Tamworth, one of only two non-league clubs in the draw, getting to host Tottenham and Manchester City at home to Salford City the team owned by members of Man United's famed “Class of 92” such as Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville. Accrington Stanley, in sixth-to-last place in fourth-tier League Two, faces a daunting trip to Premier League leader Liverpool at Anfield. Chelsea, meanwhile, will host Morecambe, which is bottom of League Two.

The standout match features the competition's two most successful teams, with Arsenal having won the trophy 14 times compared to United's 13. Arsenal last lifted it in 2020 while United beat City in a second straight Manchester derby in the FA Cup final last season. The third round will take place around the weekend of Jan. 11-12 and sees the 44 clubs from the Premier League and second-tier Championship enter the competition, joining the 20 lower-league and non-league sides who won in the previous round.