Changes to Emirates FA Cup confirmed
There will be no third or fourth-round replays in this season's Emirates FA Cup, it has been confirmed.
The decision has been made in order to ease fixture congestion, with a host of Premier League and EFL games called off over the weekend, including United's home match with Brighton & Hove Albion, due to rising COVID-19 cases.
Games which finish level after 90 minutes will now be settled with extra-time and, if necessary, penalties.
United discover FA Cup opponents
ArticleThe draw for the third round has taken place, with a former Liverpool man returning to Old Trafford as a manager.
This was also the case in 2020/21, due to the disruption caused by the pandemic to the previous season.
While fifth-round replays were consigned to the history books after the 2017/18 season, replays for the two earlier rounds were intended to be brought back this time and the FA has confirmed they will return in 2022/23.
The last FA Cup quarter-final replay took place in 2015/16, while United were involved in the most recent semi-final replay - that memorable 2-1 success over Arsenal at Villa Park during the Treble-winning year of 1998/99.
The Reds' bid for a 13th FA Cup trophy is set to begin on Monday 10 January, when we host Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
The game kicks off at 19:55 GMT and is being broadcast live on BBC One in the UK.