Manchester United were handed a huge draw in the third round of the FA Cup as Ruben Amorim’s side set about defending their crown.
Amorim’s side will travel to North London to face Mikael Arteta’s Arsenal in what is undoubtedly the standout tie in the draw.
As reported by The Mirror, the date of the fixture has now been confirmed with respective television outlets deciding on their picks for live showings.
It’s been announced United will play the Gunners on Sunday January 12, with kick-off at 3pm. The match will be shown live on BBC One.
United will be out for revenge as they return to the scene of the crime of Amorim’s first defeat as head coach of the Old Trafford club.
Arsenal handed Amorim’s men a 2-0 reverse this week with United unable to cope with the set piece power of their hosts despite defending manfully in open play.
United will be desperate to start their defence of the famous of trophy by not just securing passage to round four but knocking out a key rival for the competition in the process.
However, Arsenal are likely to start the game as favourites given their progress under Arteta in recent years.
The fixture continues a huge start to the calendar year for Amorim, who takes his side to Anfield the weekend prior to the cup clash.
United’s incredible success in the competition last season was unquestionably the highlight of Erik ten Hag’s reign at the club.
Liverpool were dispatched in dramatic fashion in the quarter-finals before United survived the biggest of scares against Championship side Coventry City in the semi’s to set up a mammoth Manchester Derby in the final.
Against the odds, United pulled out their performance of the season to defeat City and secure their 13th FA Cup trophy thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo at Wembley.
In fact, it’s only Arsenal who boast more wins in the competition than United with an impressive 14 to their name.
The mouth-watering tie will certainly set the tone for another strong run in the cup for either team and should United get past the Londoners it will be a notable feather in the cap for Amorim as he continues to bed in, in Manchester.
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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