One of the most eagerly awaited FA Cup matches of recent times will take place at Old Trafford on Saturday when Manchester United host bitter local rivals Manchester City in the fifth round.
The tie was only confirmed last week when Kevin Keegan’s City travelled to London without a win in the league for three-and-a-half months and came from three 3-0 down to beat Tottenham 4-3 in a fourth-round replay despite being reduced to 10 men for the last 45 minutes.
United, who have lifted the famous jug-eared trophy a record 10 times, will start the early kick-off match as clear favourites against a side who are facing a long battle against relegation over the coming weeks.
But Keegan believes his side’s miraculous win over Tottenham may have sparked a reversal in the club’s fortunes and infused the squad with a dose of much-needed confidence.
”The players found something extra in themselves and that may be the turning point in our season,” said Keegan.
”We have shown a lot of character in this run and I have never questioned the character of my players and hopefully we can grow from here now.
”Our prize is a tie against United and that is a massive prize for us. They are so close to us in the city and train 200 yards from where we train.
”We go there and if we get 11 men playing like those 10 did then we won’t fear anybody.”
The draw for the last 16 also threw up an intriguing encounter between London neighbours and Premier League title rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, who face each other on Sunday.
League leaders Arsenal have home advantage and recent history on their side as they set out to secure a third consecutive triumph in the world’s oldest football competition.
It is the fourth season in a row the two teams have been drawn against each other in the competition, with Arsenal winning in the fifth round in 2001 and in the 2002 final.
In other matches, Liverpool face Portsmouth in the only other all-Premier League tie, looking for revenge for their 1-0 league defeat on the south coast back in October, while first-division West Ham travel to in-form London rivals Fulham. — Sapa-DPA