Quack - Number Two for the Draw

Number Two
By Chris O'Brien
January 30 2005

Manchester United have been allocated ball number two for the fifth round draw of the F.A Challenge Cup. With Arsenal and Chelsea left in the hat, there is the potential for another top-of-the-table Cup clash.

Manchester United have been handed ball number two ahead of Monday's F.A Cup fifth round draw. The Red Devils, holders of the great competition, stuttered past non-league Exeter City after a replay in the third round, but faced no such trauma against Middlesbrough. Inspired by two-goal Wayne Rooney, Sir Alex Ferguson's side took another step towards the Millennium Stadium with a comfortable 3-0 victory.

With the Premiership starting to get out of sight, and quadruple-chasing Chelsea ending the League Cup run during the week, the F.A Cup and European Cup are United's realistic targets for silverware this term. The big-guns are still in the competition, with Liverpool the only club from the top 5 to be sent packing so far. Nice one Burnley!

Hartlepool United and Brentford are the only clubs outside of the first and second flight to be left in the competition. Representing England's associate members leagues, the two clubs meet in a replay in the North East to decide who will reach the last 16 of the world's greatest Cup competition.

Below are the ball number's for the upcoming draw:

1 Derby County or Fulham
2 Manchester United
3 Blackburn Rovers
4 Chelsea
5 West Ham United or Sheffield United
6 Bolton Wanderers
7 Arsenal
8 Everton
9 Nottingham Forest
10 Brentford or Hartlepool United
11 Leicester City
12 Burnley
13 Southampton
14 West Bromwich Albion or Tottenham Hotspur
15 Newcastle United
16 Charlton Athletic

The draw takes place on Monday at 1.30pm. All ties will be played on the weekend of 19-20 February.