Source: Manchester_EveningNews
United face Leeds or Kettering in Cup
UNITED could face old rivals Leeds in the FA Cup third round. But Kettering, a team once managed by former United boss Ron Atkinson, are also in the running for a dream ticket to Old Trafford in the New Year. The Cinderella Midlands outfit nearly out-foxed the once mighty Leeds to remain possible opponents to United. Ian Roper looked to have sent them into the hat along with the big-boys when Jermaine Beckford popped up for Leeds to force a replay as the tricky tie for the Tykes ended 1-1. Whoever wins the replay will travel to United for a glamour tie in the first weekend in January. Kettering player-manager Lee Harper vowed that he and his team-mates would give it their best shot if they reached an Old Trafford showdown. It will be really hard but we will give it our best shot, he said. The club is in a bit of trouble at the moment, it is difficult for us financially but we will go to Elland Road, try to have a great time and see where it gets us. The lure of facing the reigning Premier League champions at Old Trafford is an upturn in fortune for the Poppies, who face being turfed out of their home in the next three years. Former Arsenal goalkeeper Harper said he has never played at Old Trafford although he has been there as an unused substitute while at Arsenal. Former United hitman Mark Hughes will be able to re-new his friendship with Gordon Strachan after his City were drawn to face Middlesbrough now managed by the former Old Trafford midfielder. Bolton landed a home tie against Lincoln City but Blackburn, whose boss Sam Allardyce is still recovering from heart surgery, face a tough away tie at Aston Villa. Stockport County who had their second round game with Torquay postponed on Saturday have been given the incentive of another home tie this time against Brighton if they can beat the well-travelled Devon outfit. DRAW: Tottenham v Peterborough Brentford v Doncaster Middlesbrough v Man City Stoke v York Notts County v Forest Green Huddersfield v West Brom Sheff Utd v QPR Milton Keynes Dons v Burnley Chelsea v Watford Nottm Forest v Birmingham Preston v Colchester West Ham v Arsenal Aston Villa v Blackburn Portsmouth v Coventry Sunderland v Oxford Utd/Barrow Wigan v Hull Everton v Carlisle Sheff Wed v Crystal Palace Tranmere/Aldershot v Wolverhampton Blackpool v Ipswich Fulham v Swindon Stockport/Torquay v Brighton Scunthorpe v Barnsley Southampton v Rotherham/Luton Bristol City v Cardiff Reading v Liverpool Staines Town/Millwall v Derby Plymouth v Newcastle Leicester v Swansea Bolton v Lincoln City Acrington/Barnet v Gillingham Man Utd v Kettering/Leeds Ties to be played over the weekend of the 2nd/3rd January end.