The English FA will act to amend an old FA Cup rule so that leading clubs cannot avoid replays if their original ties end in a draw.

An FA spokesman said yesterday that the law was likely to be changed after Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson considered invoking it so his team could avoid a replay with Tottenham Hotspur if their fourth-round tie ended in a draw (United beat Tottenham 2-1).

Ferguson told reporters he had learnt of Article 11a which allows teams to agree to play for an extra half-an-hour to settle the match and avoid a replay.

However, for procedural reasons the law might have to stay on the statute books for the remainder of this season, possibly preventing replays between leading teams.

"The FA are considering it and the Cup committee will be looking into it," the spokesman said.

"The rule exists primarily to help smaller clubs in the preliminary rounds settle a tie after one meeting so they can avoid lengthy journeys or suffer financial costs.

"It makes sense for the rule to govern the matches in the preliminary competition and an amendment could be made adding the words 'preliminary competition' into the rule."