Manchester United and Manchester City Set Sights on FA Cup Success as Saving Grace for Struggling Seasons

Manchester City's last chance at silverware this season lies in the FA Cup as they prepare to host second-tier Plymouth on Saturday. Their rivals, Manchester United, are also in desperate need of a trophy to salvage what has been a disappointing campaign. With Premier League heavyweights Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham already out of the competition, the path to the final at Wembley has been cleared for the Manchester rivals who have locked horns in the last two finals. However, other clubs such as Brighton, Newcastle, and Crystal Palace are also dreaming of success at Wembley on May 17th. It promises to be an exciting and unpredictable race to glory in the FA Cup this year.

Here, we look at the pick of the ties from the fifth round this weekend:

Crystal Palace v Millwall

Twice FA Cup runners-up, Palace have never won a major trophy but are coming into form at the right time if they are to reach Wembley this year.

Oliver Glasner's men have won seven of their last nine games in all competitions, most recently thrashing Aston Villa 4-1 in midweek.

Jean-Phillippe Mateta's streak of eight goals in nine games has helped the Eagles soar clear of any relegation trouble and up to 12th in the Premier League.

Now they face a local derby against Championship side Millwall, who are keen to spoil the ambitions of their south London rivals.

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Man City v Plymouth

Plymouth were the story of the fourth road as they stunned Liverpool 1-0 at Home Park.

Argyle's reward is a trip to the Etihad and a shot at another monumental shock.

Plymouth boss Miron Muslic has become an internet sensation after clips of his inspirational team talks went viral and is looking forward to coming up against his coaching idol Pep Guardiola.

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"It's the biggest honour in my life," said Muslic.

"I'm very much looking forward to shaking his hand and telling him that he's a giant of our sport and a huge, huge role model for every single coach in the world."

Newcastle v Brighton

Arguably the tie of the round sees sixth in the Premier League take on eighth.

Newcastle already have one final to look forward to next month against Liverpool in the League Cup.

The Magpies have not won a major trophy for 56 years but can ill-afford to let the success or failure of their season hang on a clash with the Premier League champions-elect.

Brighton have won four in a row after a difficult spell in Fabian Hurzeler's first season in charge.

The Seagulls won at St. James' Park earlier in the season and often save their best for the toughest opposition.

Much will depend on the fitness of Newcastle's 21-goal striker Alexander Isak, who missed Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool due to a groin strain.

Man Utd v Fulham

United saved a shambolic campaign last season by beating City to lift the Cup but few can see Ruben Amorim's men repeating the feat.

The Red Devils did show heart in beating Ipswich 3-2 on Wednesday despite Patrick Dorgu's first-half red card for just a third league win in 11 matches.

Fulham sit five places and nine points above United in the Premier League, but have lost both meetings between the sides 1-0 this season.

The Cottagers not only have revenge for those matches in mind, but for a controversial FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford two years ago.

Fulham led 1-0 with 15 minutes to go until captain Aleksandar Mitrovic, Willian and manager Marco Silva were all sent-off following a handball on his own line by Willian.

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United went on to win 3-1 and Mitrovic received an eight-game ban for pushing referee Chris Kavanagh.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)