Fans claim FA Cup draw is 'rigged' as Man City and Liverpool get lower league opponents but Man Utd face Arsenal
12/02/2024 03:51 PM
THE FA CUP draw led to some furious reaction from a few disappointed fans, who went as far as to describe it as “rigged”.
The third round draw’s most exciting match is bound to be the one between Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United, who will face off on January 11 at the Emirates.
But the Gunners and United’s rivals drew against lower-league opponents.
Manchester City got Salford, Chelsea drew Morecambe, Liverpool were paired with Accrington Stanley and Tottenham will face Tamworth.
And some fans believe the difference of quality between those ties makes the draw look suspicious.
One fan tweeted: “Absolutely f*****g rigged.”
Another commented: “That's fixed. Arsenal vs Utd. I'm sure he didn't even mix them around.”
A third wrote: “Watching the FA Cup draw and what the hell.”
This fan said: “City vs Salford. Liverpool vs Accrington. Chelsea vs Morecambe… Arsenal vs United. Of course.”
And that one stated: “Calling fix, United getting drawn away to Arsenal, City getting Salford at home and Liverpool getting an effective nobody.”
But of course there is absolutely no indication that supports those wild claims.
Man Utd won the FA Cup last season thanks to a 2-1 win over rivals Man City, which saved former manager Erik ten Hag’s job.
The Red Devils will be facing the most successful team in the competition’s history, with Arsenal winning the trophy a record 14 times.
FA Cup third round draw
HERE'S the full FA Cup third-round draw:
1 Southampton v Swansea City
2 Arsenal v Manchester United
3 Exeter City v Oxford United
4 Leyton Orient v Derby County
5 Reading v Burnley
6 Aston Villa v West Ham United
7 Norwich City v Brighton & Hove Albion
8 Manchester City v Salford City
9 Millwall v Dagenham & Redbridge
10 Liverpool v Accrington Stanley
11 Bristol City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
12 Preston North End v Charlton Athletic
13 Chelsea v Morecambe
14 Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers
15 AFC Bournemouth v West Bromwich Albion
16 Mansfield Town v Wigan Athletic
17 Tamworth v Tottenham Hotspur
18 Hull City v Doncaster Rovers
19 Sunderland v Stoke City
20 Leicester City v Queens Park Rangers
21 Brentford v Plymouth Argyle
22 Coventry City v Sheffield Wednesday
23 Newcastle United v Bromley
24 Everton v Peterborough United
25 Wycombe Wanderers v Portsmouth
26 Birmingham City v Lincoln City
27 Leeds United v Harrogate Town
28 Nottingham Forest v Luton Town
29 Sheffield United v Cardiff City
30 Ipswich Town v Bristol Rovers
31 Fulham v Watford
32 Crystal Palace v Stockport County
