FA Cup

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Man Utd/Arsenal kept apart in Cup

United are looking to repeat their 2004 FA Cup win
An FA Cup final between bitter rivals Arsenal and Manchester United remains a possibility after the pair were kept apart in the semi-final draw.
The Gunners were first out of the hat and were drawn to face Mark Hughes' Blackburn Rovers.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side will take on Newcastle, who are looking to win the FA Cup for the first time in 50 years.

The semi-finals will be played on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 April at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

With Chelsea closing in on the Premiership title, both Arsenal and Manchester United will see the FA Cup as their best chance of silverware this season.

But the Old Trafford outfit must overcome the in-form Magpies, who have won seven successive matches.

If Arsenal take us lightly, they'll come a cropper

Blackburn assistant boss
Mark Bowen

Ferguson will come up against striker Alan Shearer, who they tried to sign earlier in his career and who is desperate to win a trophy with his hometown club before he retires at the end of the season.

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd said he was desperate to see the Magpies avange a defeat by Manchester United in the 1999 FA Cup final.

"It's not the draw we wanted, but it won't have been the draw Manchester United wanted either," he told the Newcastle website.

"But there's no reason why we cannot beat them. We won't be frightened.

"We owe them one for the FA Cup final defeat in 1999 - so we'll look forward to this one."

I think it would be great if it was a Newcastle v Blackburn final



In the other semi, Arsenal face a Blackburn side who have struggled in the Premiership this season.

But Rovers assistant boss Mark Bowen warned the Gunners not to underestimate the opposition.

"We've never felt so wanted as we have in the last 24 hours," he said.

"Everybody wanted us, but we're going to show everybody that if Arsenal take us lightly then we're well prepared and they'll come a cropper.

"We're delighted with the draw and delighted to be in the semi-final with three of the biggest clubs in Europe."

Will Shearer go out with a bang,