Brentford get chance to play United in FA Cup

Brentford were handed the prospect of a plum home match against FA Cup holders Manchester United at Griffin Park if they overcome Southampton in a fifth round replay next week.

In other quarter-final ties, Newcastle were paired with either Tottenham or N. Forest, Bolton will host Sheffield United or Arsenal and Leicester travel to the winners of Burnley or Blackburn Rovers.

Brentford, who play in English soccer's third tier, last played a team from the top division at home in the FA Cup 40 years ago but now have the chance of playing two in two weeks if they beat Southampton at home in the replay after their 2-2 draw at St Mary's on Saturday.

The west London side last played a top division club at home in the FA Cup in January 1965 when they lost a third round replay at home to Burnley.

"I can't deny it's very exciting," Brentford manager Martin Allen said after the draw, "but we have to get past another premiership club first. We are in financial trouble and playing United would certainly help."

United last met Brentford in the FA Cup in 1938, winning 2-0 at Old Trafford.

If Southampton win the replay they will be looking for their third FA Cup victory over United in a rivalry that dates back to 1897. Southampton beat United 1-0 in the 1976 final and also knocked them out on penalties after two drawn fourth round matches in 1991-92.

United won their last FA Cup meeting 2-0 in the 1996 quarter-finals en route to winning the double.

Newcastle, who beat Premier League leaders Chelsea 1-0 in the fifth round on Sunday were rewarded with another home tie against either Tottenham or second division strugglers Nottingham Forest who outplayed Spurs in a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Newcastle assistant coach Terry McDermott said: "Getting a home draw was the most important thing. Like everybody else we wanted to avoid Manchester United or Arsenal which we've done. The home draw is the big key to us so we've got to be delighted."

One omen for Newcastle, who last won the FA Cup in 1955 and are desperate to win it again in what looks like being Alan Shearer's last season before retirement, is that they beat Forest on the way to that victory 50 years ago.

Forest and Spurs will replay at the City Ground on March 2.

If Arsenal beat Sheffield United in their replayed fifth round tie at Brammall Lane they will travel to Bolton Wanderers, who beat them 1-0 in the Premier League there last month.

This year's FA Cup final is in Cardiff on May 21.

FA Cup Quarter-Finals draw

Newcastle vs Tottenham or N. Forest
Southampton or Brentford vs Manchester United
Bolton vs Arsenal or Sheffield United
Burnley or Blackburn vs Leicester

Ties to be played on the weekend of March 12 and 13.