Denis Irwin says United face a stern test in the FA Cup fourth round after Tottenham Hotspur defeated Reading at the Madesjki Stadium on Tuesday night.

The two teams needed a replay to settle their third round tie and it’s the Londoners, thanks to Robbie Keane’s strike in the 15th minute, who will arrive at Old Trafford on Sunday 27 January.

“Spurs gave us a tough game in the league back in August,” Irwin told ManUtd.com. “I think we were quite fortunate to win that day. That match was a turning point in the season because we’d struggled to score goals up to that point and it turned out to be our first win of the season.”

Irwin, who played in three FA Cup finals under Sir Alex Ferguson, said there’s no question his former boss wants to reach Wembley again.

“The FA Cup is a massive competition and you could see how seriously the manager is taking it by looking at the strong side we had out at Villa Park in the third round. United want to win it.

“It’s a competition that’s synonymous with this club – we’ve got the best record in it and the manager has won it a record five times. So it’s something everyone connected to the club wants to do well in.”