The magic of FA Cup returns in January as teams from all over England fight it out to get their hands on world's oldest football competition. Manchester United are the defending champions as Louis van Gaal departed by winning a trophy in his last game for United.
Manchester United got a home draw against Reading which will see the return of Japp Stam to Old Trafford. The centre-back was a cult figure during his three-year stint with the club but was sold by Sir Alex Ferguson after differences emerged between the two. Ferguson later admitted that it was his mistake to let Stam go. Reading are doing well in the Championship and will provide a stern test for Jose Mourinho's men.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard and Ian Wright conducted the third round draw as the former Liverpool captain handed the Reds a home tie against either Newport or Plymouth. After handing a relatively easy draw for Klopp's team, Gerrard joked as he said, "That should get me a job with Jurgen Klopp."
On the other hand, Wright could not provide a home draw for his team Arsenal as the Gunners face a trip to Preston.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola will get his first taste of FA Cup action against West Ham United while Antonio Conte's Chelsea are handed a home draw against Championship side Peterborough or Notts County. Apart from City vs West Ham; Sunderland and Burnley, Hull City and Swansea and Everton against Leicester City make up the other all-Premier League encounters.
All the matches are going to be played between January 6-9 and the fourth round is going to be played out in the final weekend of January.
Let's take a look at the FA Cup third round draw in full :
Ipswich Town v Lincoln City/Oldham AthleticBarrow v RochdaleManchester United v ReadingHull City v Swansea CitySunderland v BurnleyQueens Park Rangers v Blackburn RoversMillwall v BournemouthWest Ham United v Manchester CityBrighton & Hove Albion v MK Dons/Charlton AthleticBlackpool v BarnsleyWigan Athletic v Nottingham ForestBirmingham City v Newcastle UnitedChelsea v Notts County/Peterborough UnitedMiddlesbrough v Sheffield WednesdayWest Brom Albion v Derby CountyEverton v Leicester CityLiverpool v Newport County/Plymouth ArgyleWycombe Wanderers v Stourbridge/Northampton TownWatford v Burton AlbionPreston North End v ArsenalCardiff City v FulhamStoke City v Wolverhampton WanderersCambridge United v Leeds UnitedBristol City v Shrewsbury Town/Fleetwood TownHuddersfield Town v Port ValeTottenham Hotspur v Aston VillaBrentford v Halifax Town/EastleighBolton Wanderers v Crystal PalaceNorwich City v SouthamptonSutton United v AFC WimbledonAccrington Stanley v Luton TownRotherham United v Oxford United/Macclesfield Town
