Middlesbrough v Manchester United
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Sixth Round Proper
5.30pm, 10 March 2007
The Riverside Stadium
Live on BBC1
Winning clubs will receive £300,000 from The FA
Each televised club will receive £265,000 from The FA



Gareth Southgate will be facing the club of his boyhood dreams when Manchester United visit Middlesbrough for Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final.

Boro manager Southgate admits United were the side he followed as a youngster after his family moved north from his native Watford.

Southgate said: "Bryan Robson was my hero, and also Steve Coppell, because they were playing for Manchester United when I was young.

"We lived in Bury for a short spell, so that was where my interest in United started. I was only about four when we lived there and then I just followed them after that.

"They weren't that successful at the time, apart from being in FA Cup Finals, but I used to enjoy the way they played.

"I joined Crystal Palace at 15 or 16, and your allegiances change. United were the team I supported when I was growing up, but once you're affiliated to a club, it changes your view on things.''

Southgate has called on Boro fans to rally round after being reminded of the meagre 17,624 who turned out for United's last FA Cup trip to Teesside five years ago.

Boro won the televised lunchtime tie 2-0, with Southgate captaining the side. He said: "We're hoping for a good crowd, but you can never guarantee these things. It's another live TV game and that does have a big impact.

"People can't always afford to come and, if they can see it live on TV, it's a difficult decision for them.

"All I would say is the bigger the crowd the better the opportunity for us - they can make it a really hostile atmosphere. If you get a full house, it's a better occasion to look back on.

"It's a fantastic tie for the club - they don't come any bigger than an FA Cup quarter-final at home to Manchester United.''