Money: Beating United will be like winning EuroMillions

FA Cup fourth round replays: Cambridge boss Richard Money has likened his side’s chances of FA Cup fourth-round replay success at Manchester United to winning EuroMillions, having already claimed a Las Vegas jackpot and a winning lottery ticket.

The Us, 14th in League Two and the lowest ranked side remaining in the FA Cup, play a money-spinning replay in front of 75,000 people at Old Trafford tonight after holding Louis van Gaal’s men to a goalless draw at the Abbey Stadium.

Money played down Cambridge’s hopes of an upset immediately after the home contest and knows the odds are firmly against his side earning a fifth round tie at either Preston or Sheffield United.

“If you go to Las Vegas and you play those fruit machines and you win the jackpot — that’s probably what the draw was, in terms of Cambridge versus Man United,” Money said.

“To get the replay probably means we bought a Lottery ticket and won. Now we’ve bought a EuroMillions ticket. The percentage of chance diminishes because of it, but, because you’ve got a ticket, you do have a chance. That’s how I feel.”

Cambridge, who twice won at Wembley last season, have prepared for every eventuality, including practising penalties. “We’re probably going to need to draw 4-4 to get there,” Money added.

Cambridge’s finances are so tight that Money said his players would be charged for swapping shirts after the original match.

Money added: “What we found was that Man United are particularly generous and they gave their shirts away without an exchange.

“I’m sure if Falcao, or Van Persie or Rooney want one of our shirts, I’m sure we can oblige.”

Cambridge will earn 45% of gate receipts after costs from the replay.

United midfielder Juan Mata says the club won’t be taking Cambridge lightly tonight.

“We want to make it to the next round and we are absolutely focused on that because, as I said before, the team is very excited about this competition,” said the Spaniard.

Midfielder Michael Carrick is ruled out tonight because of a muscle injury but defender Jonny Evans could return after missing the last two games. Wing-back Ashley Young is also close to a return.

Should United go through, they will face the winners of tonight’s replay between Sheffield United and Preston North End.

Preston boss Simon Grayson is confident his side can progress.

“We’ve got to go there with a belief and the confidence levels to really go and give Sheffield United a game,” said Grayson. “Why can’t we go there and produce a performance?”

Meanwhile Fulham’s Ross McCormack says the Cottagers are ready to “blow away” Sunderland in their FA Cup replay at Craven Cottage tonight. The sides drew 0-0 in the initial tie at the Stadium of Light and striker McCormack is confident the Cottagers can finish the job and book a fifth-round trip to Bradford.

“It’s a good chance at Craven Cottage, where we’ve proved we can beat anyone — we can blow teams away and we’ll definitely be looking to do that,” said McCormack.

Sunderland’s Ricky Alvarez is looking to kick-start his career tonight after a frustrating start to his time on Wearside. The 26-year-old Argentina winger will make just the 11th appearance he has made since his summer loan move from Inter.

Head coach Gus Poyet said: “Alvarez has been in and out. He’s never really had the chance to have a run of games and really perform.

“Ricky needs to play. Tuesday is a big opportunity for him and the longer he can play, the better.”