Crawley boss hails 'surreal' tie with Manchester United after dream FA Cup draw

Dream tie: Crawley celebrate beating Torquay to go through to the fifth round of the FA Cup
11 April 2012

Crawley manager Steve Evans described the moment his non-league team were paired with Manchester United in the FA Cup as "surreal".

The Blue Square Premier team face a trip to Old Trafford in the fifth round next month - and Evans cannot wait.

The man has masterminded wins over Swindon, Derby and Torquay to earn the West Sussex side a place in the last 16 of the competition, said: "It (getting paired with United) was just a surreal moment.

"We got the tie that everyone in the country wants. I suppose if you are Arsene Wenger or Alex McLeish you don't want that draw - but we did."

Evans does not believe the tie will be one sided, adding: "We will approach it in a really positive nature.

"The only non-league club capable of beating Manchester United is Crawley Town as we stand today...miracles do happen.

"This is going to be the biggest day in our lives but we will give them the respect that Real Madrid gave them...the utmost respect."

Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn was another happy man, after his League One side were given a home draw against Arsenal.

Hearn joked on Sky Sports News: "We're in danger of breaking even - I don't know what's happening these days with football!

"But the money is secondary. I've been chairman for nearly 16 years and we've never had anything like this. It's going to be a fabulous day out. I love the FA Cup.

"My team is full of characters and we're going to do our best to cause an upset. It's a massive game for our club. We've got a great manager (Russell Slade) and we'll hopefully give them a good game.

"It's come at the right time - we've only had two losses in our last 19 games.

"A little club like Leyton Orient need a reward every now and again. It's one of the reasons you support a small team."

Elsewhere, holders Chelsea will face Reading for a place in the quarter-finals - if Carlo Ancelotti's team win their replay against Everton on February 19.

Fulham's reward for the 4-0 drubbing of Tottenham is a home match against Bolton or Wigan, while West Ham and Burnley meet at Upton Park.

League One Notts County and Manchester City must replay after yesterday's 1-1 draw at Meadow Lane - with a home match against Aston Villa awaiting the winners.

Stoke will have home advantage against League One Brighton, while Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday will meet in the other tie.

The matches, excepting the Everton/Chelsea v Reading fixture, are due to be played over the weekend of February 19-20.

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