Robson and Ferguson in tie of round

There will be an old boys' reunion at Old Trafford next month when Bryan Robson, who as Manchester United captain lifted the FA Cup twice in the 1980s, takes Middlesbrough there to play against Alex Ferguson's team in the third round of this season's competition.

When the draw was made yesterday, another former United player, Gary Pallister, who returned to Middlesbrough in the summer, had a premonition that Middlesbrough's ball would follow that of his former club out of the drum.

"Funnily enough, some of my family were there and I said it would be us as soon as Manchester United came out of the hat," he said. "I think they all thought I was psychic."

The all-Premiership tie, one of three in the draw, looks set to be the match of the round. But Pallister was anything but pessimistic. "It's a toughie, but it's going to be good for me on a personal note to go back to Old Trafford again.

"It's not a nightmare at all. I had many good years playing there and I think everybody who goes to Old Trafford enjoys playing there. It's a great stadium with 55,000 people in there, and hopefully it will be a good game of football as well." Pallister's optimism was not shared by the bookmakers as United were immediately installed as 5 to 1 favourites for the competition.

Former United assistant manager, Blackburn's new chief Brian Kidd, will have no fears about his first solo flight in the Cup. Rovers were paired at Ewood Park with Charlton, the side they beat on Saturday in Kidd's first game in charge.

The other big name clash of the round sees Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit looking forward to a reunion with Crystal Palace's Terry Venables. The two men worked together as television summarisers during this summer's World Cup finals, and will meet again when Palace head for St James' Park.

Gullit said: "First and foremost, it's always good to get a home draw and it will be good for the fans not to have to travel so soon after New Year. I'm looking forward to the game, and it will be nice to see Terry Venables again after spending some time with him at the World Cup."

There is plenty of potential for upsets in the third-round draw with several Premiership sides facing tricky ties against lower or non-league opposition.

Hull City may be separated by 90 clubs from Aston Villa, but the league's bottom side will still fancy their chances of creating a surprise against the Premiership leaders at Villa Park.

The holders Arsenal have a testing trip to a resurgent Preston. The Gunners have a history of struggling against lower league opposition in the early rounds, as Wrexham and York City can testify. Chelsea, joint second favourites with Arsenal at 6 to 1, are away to either Oldham or Brentford.

A lucrative home tie against Leeds United awaits the winners of the all-Conference replay between Doncaster Rovers and Rushden and Diamonds, whose managers have strong personal incentives for reaching the third round.

Rovers' Ian Snodin was once captain of Leeds and said: "I would cut off my right arm to reach the next round. It's an absolutely fantastic draw." Brian Talbot of Rushden was a team-mate of Leeds manager David O'Leary in the Arsenal team that lifted the Cup in 1979.

Tottenham, already through to the League Cup semi-finals, play Graham Taylor's Watford at White Hart Lane, while Derby travel to either Wycombe or Plymouth.

There will be some anxiety at Anfield at the prospect of a visit to Port Vale as Liverpool's Jamie Redknapp confirmed. "It will be tough," he said. "It could have been an easier draw."

Southampton will be hoping lightning does not strike twice when they host Fulham. The side managed by the former Southampton favourite Kevin Keegan won 1-0 at The Dell in the League Cup in September to complete a 2-1 aggregate win.