Semi-Final Draw

1

Sunderland

v

Millwall or Tranmere Rovers

2

Arsenal

v

Manchester United

The draw has also denied us the prospect of a Millennium clash between Arsenal and Manchester United, who have won the Cup 19 times between them.

The two Premiership giants, Arsenal currently top and Man U third, met in a sensational Semi-Final tie five years ago. In fact it was United’s last Semi and it came in their famous "Treble" season.

The first match was drawn 0-0 after extra-time at Villa Park. David Beckham and Dennis Bergkamp scored to make it 1-1 in the replay, also at Villa, before the Dutchman saw his last-minute penalty palmed away by Peter Schmeichel.

The stage was set for Ryan Giggs to fashion one the Cup’s greatest goals, dribbling past a clutch of Arsenal defenders before slamming a left-footer high into David Seaman’s net.

Arsenal and Manchester United have now been drawn together for the tenth time in the Cup’s history. United, of course, have an early opportunity to avenge last season’s Fifth Round defeat at Old Trafford. Edu and Wiltord netted in the Gunners’ 2-0 win.

Arsenal are now playing in a record 24th Semi-Final. United,  one behind on 23, haven't lost at that stage since 1970.

Sunderland are in their first Semi since 1992, when they went on to play Liverpool in the Wembley Final as a Second Division club. Their place in the last four is guaranteed; Millwall and Tranmere Rovers must fight for that right in a Sixth Round replay at Prenton Park tomorrow week.

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy said: "It's a great tie for us...But I approach it with caution. It's easy to say 'Yes, great, we're in the Final' - we're not. We've got to beat Millwall or Tranmere and, don't forget, Millwall have beaten us twice this season".

The Lions from south-east London haven’t been in a Cup Semi since 1937, when they were a Third Division (South) club. On that occasion they met…Sunderland.

Tranmere have never been that far but they’ve beaten Sunderland twice in the Cup in the last six seasons, both times in the Fourth Round. Now three clubs from outside the Premiership are within touching distance of an appearance in The FA Cup Final.

This afternoon’s draw has made it certain that one of those three will be lining up in Cardiff on 22nd May.