Wenger jibe at Fergie's nomads

Wenger could not resist a dig at the deal struck by Manchester United to play a friendly for £1million in Saudi Arabia less than a week before last Sunday's 3-1 fourth-round win against Tottenham.

The Arsenal manager said: "I have never done it. It can have a longterm impact but in the short term you can suffer in the next game as you travel, you come back, you need time to adjust and you switch off when you are away in a different country. So the focus could go a little bit and you can suffer in the next game."

United fell behind against Spurs at Old Trafford but fought back to win and tee up Ferguson versus Wenger for the 35th time since the Frenchman arrived in England in October 1996.

Their rivalry has intensified again this season after losing its edge when the Gunners slipped out of the title race for three years.

But the clubs are now locked in battle at the top of the Barclays Premier League and will renew hostilities at Old Trafford in the Cup.

Arsenal beat United on penalties after a goalless FA Cup Final three years ago, but Ferguson has enjoyed some memorable victories over his old foe in the competition.

Paul Scholes scored a semi-final winner in 2004 to end Wenger's hope of winning The Double with his 'Invincibles' team.

Five years earlier, Ryan Giggs settled another semi with his incredible solo goal in the 109th minute of the replay.

Elsewhere in yesterday's draw, holders Chelsea were drawn at home to League One Huddersfield, for whom veteran defender Frank Sinclair is relishing the prospect of a return to Stamford Bridge.

Sinclair, 36, said: "All the lads wanted to get one of the big boys and, as the draw went on, I secretly had the feeling we'd be coming up against Chelsea. There was a big cheer when the fixture came out."

There are only six Premier League teams in the fifth round — the lowest number since the top flight broke away in 1992.

Liverpool are at home to Championship side Barnsley, who may be confident after watching Havant and Waterlooville's efforts at Anfield.

The other surviving Premier League clubs were both drawn away. Middlesbrough are at Sheffield United, conquerors of Manchester City and Bolton.

United are managed by ex-Boro boss Bryan Robson. Portsmouth go to P reston, who beat Derby in the last round.

At least three of the last eight will come from outside the top flight, with Bristol Rovers hoping to fly the flag for League One in the quarter-finals after getting a home draw against Southampton. Rovers manager Paul Trollope said: "Our record against teams from higher divisions isn't bad."

P.S. No consolation for Manchester City fans, but Alan Wiley could have disallowed Sheffield United's balloon-assisted opener in Sunday's fourth-round tie, according to Sportsmail's Graham Poll.

"If the referee felt the ball changed direction as a result of hitting the balloons, then he should have stopped play and awarded a drop ball," said former FIFA ref Poll.

"It's no different from a second ball hitting the match ball, or a spectator or a dog interfering with the ball. Any outside influence causing the ball to deviate should result in a drop ball. But if the referee did not see the ball change direction because of the balloons then he was justified in awarding the goal."

FA CUP FIFTH-ROUND DRAW

BRISTOL ROVERS v SOUTHAMPTON

CARDIFF CITY v WOLVES

SHEFFIELD UTD v MIDDLESBROUGH

LIVERPOOL v BARNSLEY

MANCHESTER UTD v ARSENAL

PRESTON NE v PORTSMOUTH

COVENTRY CITY v WEST BROMWICH

CHELSEA v HUDDERSFIELD TOWN