clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

FA Cup Draw: A potential Manchester derby awaits United if they can defeat Chelsea in the replay

If Manchester United can defeat Chelsea in the quarter-final replay, Manchester City await them for a clash at Wembley.

Clive Mason

Minutes after the final whistle of Manchester United's 2-2 FA Cup quarter-final draw with Chelsea, the FA Cup draw for the semi-final was announced. If the Reds can defeat the Blues in the replay, a Manchester derby awaits them at Wembley. This potential encounter with Manchester City would be a chance to avenge a 2011 defeat by the 'noisy neighbours' in the competition's same round. In the other half of the semi-final draw, Wigan Athletic awaits the winner of the replay between Millwall -- whom United defeated in the 2004 final when they last won the FA Cup -- and Blackburn Rovers. The winner of the United/Chelsea versus City tie would be big favorites over the winner of the Wigan versus Millwall/Blackburn tie in the final.

United's draw with Chelsea was obviously massively disappointing. However, with the club recently being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League, a replay at least allows Sir Alex Ferguson another game so that more members of his deep squad can get a game. Besides the FA Cup, the Reds only have 10 league games remaining this season.