Manchester Derby with a Difference: City Face Salford City in FA Cup

The FA Cup brings together Manchester City and Salford City in a derby with a twist, as the fourth-tier minnows seek to upset the Premier League champions.

The FA Cup third round is set to kick off with a thrilling lineup of matches, headlined by the highly anticipated clash between Arsenal and Manchester United. Both teams will be seeking a morale-boosting victory, adding to the excitement and tension surrounding this standout tie. The encounter promises to be a highlight of the round, which also features several potential giant-killings and intriguing matchups.

Mon Diaries takes a closer look at the key storylines from the upcoming FA Cup third round, which commences with an unusual family affair. On Thursday, Everton's Ashley Young will face off against his son, Tyler, in a unique and intriguing encounter that sets the tone for an exciting weekend of football. The round also includes a Manchester derby with a twist, adding to the fascination and unpredictability of the FA Cup.

The stage is set for a thrilling FA Cup showdown between Arsenal and Manchester United, the two most successful teams in the competition's history. As Manchester United prepare to visit the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be keenly focused on the match, hoping to bounce back from a disappointing defeat in the League Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle.

Arteta's explanation for Arsenal's 2-0 loss to Newcastle on Tuesday was unusual, to say the least. He attributed his team's poor finishing to the ball used in the League Cup, which differs from the one used in the Premier League. Arteta complained, “We kicked a lot of balls over the bar. It's tricky. This ball flies a lot.” This unorthodox excuse has raised eyebrows, and Arteta will be hoping that his team can rediscover their scoring form against Manchester United.

The FA Cup's unique ball will add an extra layer of intrigue to Arsenal's shooting performance in their upcoming match against Manchester United. With both teams eager to progress, the outcome of the game is far from certain, and neither side can afford to lose. The stakes are high, and the match promises to be an intense and closely contested encounter.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal reign has been marked by a solitary triumph in the 2020 FA Cup, which saw the team claim a record 14th title in the competition. Currently trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by six points, with the Reds having a game in hand, Arsenal may need to focus on cup success to end their trophy drought. The pressure is on Arteta to deliver, and a strong performance in the FA Cup could be crucial in reviving the team's fortunes.

Manchester United, the reigning FA Cup holders, will be seeking to build on their 13th title triumph last season. However, Ruben Amorim's team has struggled in recent games, enduring a five-match winless streak in all competitions, including four defeats. Their last outing, a draw against Liverpool, offered a rare glimmer of hope for the beleaguered manager, but United's form remains a concern ahead of their clash with Arsenal.

A Blast from the Past

The infamous phrase “Accrington Stanley, who are they?” is likely to evoke nostalgic memories for many football fans. This catchphrase originated from a classic 1980s British television advert for milk, featuring two young boys discussing football while enjoying the beverage. In the ad, one boy, dressed in a Liverpool kit, mentions that Ian Rush drinks milk, implying that it's essential for becoming a skilled footballer. His friend jokingly responds, “If I don't drink milk, I'll only be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley,” followed by the iconic line, “Accrington Stanley, who are they?”

The tables have turned, and Accrington Stanley, currently 19th in the fourth tier, now have an opportunity to turn this joke on its head. On Saturday, they will face off against Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield, with a chance to pull off one of the greatest upsets in FA Cup history.

A Family Affair

Former England defender Ashley Young will face a unique challenge during Everton's FA Cup tie against Peterborough on Thursday. Young's 18-year-old son, Tyler, plays for third-tier Peterborough, raising the possibility of a family reunion on the pitch at Goodison Park. Ashley Young reacted to the draw by saying, “The dream could come true.” Tyler has only made one appearance for Peterborough so far.

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson revealed that Ashley Young had attempted to persuade him to pit the father-son duo against each other. “Ash put a bit of pressure on me. I'll have to find a way to get Tyler involved,” Ferguson said. As the son of Alex Ferguson, who won the FA Cup five times as Manchester United manager, Darren Ferguson appreciates the special stories the competition can create. “That's the kind of story the FA Cup brings out, and it would be another good one,” he added.

A Manchester Derby with a Twist

Just weeks after suffering a painful defeat in the Manchester derby against United, Pep Guardiola's City will face another local opponent, Salford City, who are eager to inflict even greater humiliation. The 2-1 loss to struggling United on December 15th was a significant blow in a turbulent season for City. However, being knocked out of the FA Cup by fourth-tier Salford City, located just five miles across Manchester, would be a new low for Guardiola's men.

Salford City's appearance in the third round is the latest fairytale moment for a club transformed since former United stars Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, and Nicky Butt purchased it in 2014. Currently third in League Two, Salford will show no fear against the Premier League champions on Saturday. Manager Karl Robinson expressed his team's confidence, saying: “We are true to who we are, who our owners are and what we want to be.”