FA Cup 3rd round draw simulated as Man Utd are reunited with Van Nistelrooy

MANCHESTER UNITED will be reunited with new Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy in SunSport's simulated FA Cup draw.

All Premier League and Championship sides will put their names in the hat for the third round draw taking place tonight.

Reigning FA champions United are expected to host former striker Van Nistelrooy, who is now running the show at the King Power Stadium.

The Dutchman, who wanted to return to an assistant role after his four-match spell as United's interim boss, was dropped from Ruben Amorim's coaching staff on the first day after the Portuguese tactician's arrival.

Ironically, two of Van Nistelrooy's victories came in the M16 dugout against Leicester – a 5-2 victory in the Carabao Cup, before a 3-0 victory in the Prem 11 days later.

New regular gaffer Amorim has his eyes set on winning a trophy in his first season in England – just as Erik ten Hag did with the Carabao Cup in February 2023.

The FA Cup draw will take place at Old Trafford, United's home ground, on Monday December 2 on BBC Two from 7pm.

Meanwhile, Man City, last season's runner-up, will play Mansfield Town according to our calculations.

Pep Guardiola's side are winless in seven games after losing their last FOUR Prem games – an unprecedentedly tough phase for the once unbeatable champions.

But they risk further embarrassment if they cannot beat League One side Mansfield.

Arsenal play Brentford in the Prem on News Years Day, and thanks to our draw they meet again ten days later.

The third round matches are scheduled for the weekend of Saturday, January 11.

The Gunners should take the FA Cup more seriously this season, with rival fans beginning to question their lack of trophies since Mikel Arteta lifted the prized English trophy in 2020.

SunSport's simulator set Chelsea up to travel to Wolves, where they won 6-2 in August, and Reading suffered a nightmare clash against Prem leaders Liverpool.

Wayne Rooney faces an eye-watering clash with former Everton, who are desperate to change the momentum after they were beaten 4-0 by Man Utd on Sunday.

But first the former Goodison Park academy product has TWO games to save his job at Plymouth Argyle as he faces the axe.

Rooney, 39, has seen his Plymouth side win just four of their 18 league games this season since taking charge this summer.

Only two non-league clubs have reached the third round this year.

Dagenham & Redbridge triumphed against League Two's AFC Wimbledon, while Tamworth claimed a penalty shootout win against League One side Burton Albion.

National League side Tamworth have a home game against League One's Leyton Orient on the line, who narrowly beat Boreham Wood on pins last time out.

While Dagenham & Redbridge will play host to the mighty QPR.