Confirmed: United's FA Cup fourth-round opponents
It has finally been confirmed that Manchester United will face Tranmere Rovers in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round, after the Prenton Park club tonight earned a 2-1 win over Watford.
The two sides had initially drawn 3-3 at Vicarage Road earlier this month and their replay was at first scheduled for 14 January, until heavy rain in the area meant it was rescheduled for this evening.
Playing on a weathered pitch and under heavy fog, Tranmere took the lead through Emmanuel Monthe before Watford equalised via Kaylen Hinds. A period of extra time was required and substitute Paul Mullin hit a winning goal for the hosts.
Tranmere's reward is a high-profile fourth-round tie against United at Prenton Park on Sunday, live on BT Sport in the UK.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Reds reached this stage of the competition thanks to last Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, in a tight and competitive third-round replay at Old Trafford.
United have never played a competitive match at Prenton Park and, as such, Sunday’s 15:00 GMT kick-off is one to look forward to for our travelling supporters.
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The Reds are determined to bounce back in the best possible fashion, after suffering a couple of Premier League defeats against Liverpool and Burnley.
Of course, the FA Cup represents a good opportunity to win a trophy this season and Solskjaer is hungry to go all the way in the competition – just like he is in the Carabao Cup and UEFA Europa League.
The manager will preview this Sunday’s fourth-round tie against Tranmere when holding a press conference at the Aon Training Complex on Friday, which you watch from 10:00 GMT on MUTV and in our Official App.
HOW IT ALL WENT DOWN
On a foggy night at Prenton Park, League One club Tranmere named an experienced side as they smelt a potential upset against Premier League opponents Watford.
The Hornets made 11 changes from their loss at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Tuesday, as manager Nigel Pearson stuck to his pre-match statement that the FA Cup is not his priority.
A challenging playing surface appeared to provide an advantage to the hosts and they took a deserved lead on 36 minutes, when the powerful Monthe executed a lovely left-footed finish into the bottom right corner of the net.
Manny Monthé does it home and away against @WatfordFC 🔥#EmiratesFACup @TranmereRovers pic.twitter.com/3q45TYWSBJ
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 23, 2020
After the break, Watford's Brazilian striker Joao Pedro burst through on goal but could not beat the goalkeeper Scott Davies. Holebas also struck the woodwork with a thunderbolt of a shot. The Hornets then scored an equaliser in chaotic fashion, when a goalmouth scramble from a corner led to substitute Kaylen Hinds finishing at the near post.
They all count! ⚽️#EmiratesFACup @WatfordFC pic.twitter.com/F2ycM0apO1
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 23, 2020
A period of extra time was required and the home team eventually prevailed, thanks to a late strike from substitute Mullin that was celebrated wildly.
MULLINNNNNNNNN 🤩#EmiratesFACup @TranmereRovers pic.twitter.com/fyJQ0wpMQL
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 23, 2020
FULL FOURTH-ROUND DRAW
Tranmere v United
Hull v Chelsea
Southampton v Tottenham
QPR v Sheff Wed
Bournemouth v Arsenal
Northampton v Derby County
Brentford v Leicester
Millwall v Sheff Utd
Reading v Cardiff
West Ham v West Brom
Burnley v Norwich
Coventry v Birmingham
Man City v Fulham
Newcastle v Oxford Utd
Portsmouth v Barnsley
Shrewsbury v Liverpool
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