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London - Romantics will pin their hopes on fourth-division Cambridge United when the League Two minnows host Manchester United in the most evocative tie of this weekend's FA Cup fourth-round matches.
United, who beat third-tier Yeovil Town in round three, sit 76 places above Cambridge in the English league system, but their manager Louis van Gaal has braced his players for a searching physical examination at the 8,100-capacity Abbey Stadium in eastern England.
The Dutchman has already seen his side humiliated 4-0 by third-tier Milton Keynes Dons in the League Cup and Cambridge manager Richard Money has admitted that his eyes grow wide at the thought of a similar exploit.
"I'm from a generation where there wasn't anything bigger than the FA Cup and I think this season we've seen a return to the spirit of the competition," said the former Liverpool player.
"The match will generate income, but for the players it's a chance to go into football folklore. We're not thinking we've got no chance."
Van Gaal has revealed that left-back Luke Shaw and striker Robin van Persie are both in contention to play after injury, but he baulked at press reports that new goalkeeper Victor Valdes will be handed his debut.
"I find it unbelievable how the media can write that," Van Gaal told MUTV.
"I don't want to say anything about my line-up until just before the game."
The last of United's 11 FA Cup triumphs came in 2004.
FA Cup Fourth round fixtures:
Friday:
Cambridge United v Manchester United
Saturday:
Birmingham City v West Bromwich Albion, Blackburn Rovers v Swansea City, Cardiff City v Reading, Chelsea v Bradford City, Derby County v Chesterfield, Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers , Manchester City v Middlesbrough, Preston North End v Sheffield United, Southampton v Crystal Palace, Sunderland v Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City
Sunday:
Aston Villa v Bournemouth, Brighton and Hove Albion v Arsenal, Bristol City v West Ham United
Monday:
Rochdale v Stoke City
