Chelsea set for rematch of 2018 final in FA Cup 5th round

Chelsea are set for a third successive home match in the 2019 FA Cup after the Monday’s fifth round draw pulled Manchester United’s name out of the punch bowl.

It’s of course a rematch of last year’s final (just a couple rounds earlier) which Antonio Conte’s Chelsea won against Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United thanks to Eden Hazard’s goal. Eden Hazard is still here, fortunately, but both teams are under new management now, with plenty of other changes in the teams — and United enjoying an extended new manager bounce, even.

Still, United will be out for revenge, undoubtedly, although their attentions could be diverted by the Champions League Round of 16 first leg they’ll have to play before against PSG, and the Premier League match against Liverpool they’ll have to play after (although probably with enough days’ rest in between each tie).

Due to Chelsea’s Europa League commitments (away to Malmo FF on Thursday), the match will be played on either Sunday, February 17 or perhaps pushed back to Monday, February 18. It is by far the marquee matchup of the round.

The fifth round draw in full:

Bristol City vs Shrewsbury Town OR Wolverhampton Wanderers
AFC Wimbledon vs Millwall
Doncaster Rovers vs. Spurs Crystal Palace
Middlesbrough OR Newport County vs Manchester City
CHELSEA vs. Manchester United
Swansea City vs Barnet OR Brentford
Portsmouth OR Queens Park Rangers vs. Watford
Brighton & Hove Albion OR West Bromwich Albion vs. Derby County