FA Cup Third-Round Draw: Holders Manchester United Set to Face Arsenal, Aston Villa to Host West Ham

The FA Cup third-round fixtures are here, and football fans are in for a treat with some thrilling clashes on the horizon. In a draw held at Old Trafford, defending champions Manchester United have been paired with none other than 14-time winners Arsenal, setting the stage for an epic showdown. Adding to the excitement, Aston Villa will lock horns with West Ham in another all-Premier League spectacle.

New Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is set for his first taste of FA Cup action, and it couldn’t come on a bigger stage. The Red Devils will travel to North London to face Arsenal in what promises to be a blockbuster third-round tie. Talk about a baptism of fire—Arsenal, the record 14-time winners of the competition, are no strangers to FA Cup glory. In fact, this very tournament gave Mikel Arteta his first managerial silverware when he guided the Gunners to victory in 2020. This showdown also carries a slice of history, as it’s a rematch of the dramatic 2005 Final, where Arsenal edged out United in a tense penalty shootout. Remarkably, this showdown will mark the 17th time these two English heavyweights have locked horns in the FA Cup, and with both sides eager to prove their mettle, it promises to be a classic. 

While Arsenal vs. Manchester United and Aston Villa vs. West Ham are bound to dominate the headlines, the story of the FA Cup third-round draw belongs to non-league side Tamworth. They’ve landed the draw of dreams—a home clash against Premier League heavyweights Tottenham Hotspur. Tamworth, one of only two non-league teams still in the competition, will relish the opportunity to host Spurs. Beyond the incredible morale boost, this David vs. Goliath showdown promises a significant financial windfall for the club, thanks to ticket sales and broadcast revenue. It’s the kind of fairytale tie that makes the FA Cup so special, and the Lamb Ground will surely be buzzing with anticipation.  

Meanwhile, the other non-league survivors, Dagenham & Redbridge, have a daunting trip to The Den, where they’ll face Championship outfit Millwall. For these minnows, both games represent more than just a shot at glory—they’re moments to inspire fans, players, and communities alike. Elsewhere, among the standout stories is Bromley, who are living their fairytale moment. In their first-ever Football League season and maiden FA Cup third-round appearance, they’ll head to the iconic St. James’ Park to face Newcastle United—a true clash of minnows and giants.  

Premier League leaders Liverpool, fresh from last year’s third-round triumph over Arsenal, are gearing up to face Accrington Stanley. It’s a classic David vs Goliath matchup, but the magic of the cup means anything is possible. Across town, Manchester City will meet Salford City in a derby dripping with local flavor. League Two underdogs Harrogate Town have their own thrilling adventure, traveling to Elland Road to take on Leeds United. It’s a tie that’s as much about local pride as it is about cup glory. And let’s not forget Morecambe, who’ve landed a blockbuster trip to Stamford Bridge. Facing a Chelsea side in red-hot form, the Shrimps have a mountain to climb but will relish the chance to shock the footballing world. 

FA Cup third-round draw in full  

• Southampton vs Swansea  
• Arsenal vs Man Utd  
• Exeter vs Oxford  
• Leyton Orient vs Derby  
• Reading vs Burnley  
• Aston Villa vs West Ham  
• Norwich vs Brighton  
• Man City vs Salford  
• Millwall vs Dagenham and Redbridge  
• Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley  
• Bristol City vs Wolves  
• Preston vs Charlton  
• Chelsea vs Morecambe  
• Middlesbrough vs Blackburn  
• Bournemouth vs West Brom  
• Mansfield vs Wigan  
• Tamworth vs Tottenham  
• Hull vs Doncaster  
• Sunderland vs Stoke  
• Leicester vs QPR  
• Brentford vs Plymouth  
• Coventry vs Sheffield Wednesday  
• Newcastle vs Bromley  
• Everton vs Peterborough  
• Wycombe vs Portsmouth  
• Birmingham vs Lincoln  
• Leeds vs Harrogate  
• Nottingham Forest vs Luton  
• Sheffield United vs Cardiff  
• Ipswich vs Bristol Rovers  
• Fulham vs Watford  
• Crystal Palace vs Stockport  

Key dates for the FA Cup in 2024-25:  

• Third round: Saturday January 11, 2025  
• Fourth round: Saturday February 8, 2025  
• Fifth round: Saturday March 1, 2025  
• Quarter-final: Saturday March 29, 2025  
• Semi-final: Saturday April 26, 2025   
• Final: Saturday May 17, 2025