Reds rev up for battle of the titans
The clash of the north-west giants is the tie of the round and although United may hold the upper hand after their last-minute victory over the Anfield side just over a week ago, Ferguson is taking nothing for granted.
“It’s a great tie for everyone. It’s a hard draw, but the FA Cup is all about difficult ties and dramatic games. And you can only really appreciate what winning is all about in the cup competitions by getting through the tougher matches,” he said.
Benitez was in full agreement.
“It won’t be easy against a team of Manchester United’s level but we will be at home and that gives us an advantage. It was a very close game when we played each other at Old Trafford and it will be close again when we play at Anfield,” he said.
Brentford, the lowest-placed club left in the competition, have been rewarded for their victory over Sunderland with a clash against Charlton at The Valley. The Bees’ League Two rivals Colchester, who pulled off a shock of their own by beating Derby 3-1, also face Premier League opposition but must wait to find out who. Phil Parkinson’s side, second in League One, face a trip to the winners of the replay between Chelsea and Everton.
“It’s a great opportunity for myself, the coaches and the players,” he said.
Bolton drew West Ham in another all-Premiership tie, the other being Aston Villa v Manchester City, and Sam Allardyce wants his team to build on knocking out holders Arsenal.
“You don’t want to waste knocking the cup holders out, certainly not in the next round,” said Allardyce, whose side have lost only once at home this season.
“We put so much effort into achieving that feat and want to go as far as we can in the competition. Nobody wants to come and play here. We love it and enjoy it.”
Under pressure Newcastle manager Graeme Souness could not have asked for a better draw, a home tie against Championship side Southampton.
“All you can ask for is a home draw, and we’ve got that so we have to be happy,” he said.
“We would love a good cup run but we won’t be looking any further than this round and we will prepare properly for it. But all in all we have to be happy with the draw, there are a few ties that have paired some of the big boys together so things could be interesting.”
Should north-east neighbours Middlesbrough come through their replay at home to Coventry they will face another Championship side but who depends on the outcome of the Crystal Palace v Preston replay.
Remaining Premiership side Birmingham have a tough fourth round replay at Championship runaway leaders Reading and the winners of that will then travel to Stoke.
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