Wembley beckons for Manchester United this evening as they try to secure a semi-final spot by beating Brighton and Hove Albion in an FA Cup quarter-final.
Ties between the two clubs will always be associated with that immortal phrase – ‘and Smith must score` from a final when Brighton nearly produced a huge shock by beating United but having to settle for a draw before being trounced in the replay.
But, with the tie looming large, do the facts and figures tell us to expect?
Here are a few facts and figures to get you thinking:
? The two sides last met in the FA Cup in January 1993 when a goal from Ryan Giggs was enough to give United a 1-0 win.
? Brighton have a poor record when it comes to playing Manchester United, the 17 matches have seen United win 11, draw 5 and lose just 1, the solitary win coming via a 1-0 win in November 1982.
? United`s last 4 appearances in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup have seen them eliminated on 3 occasions. The only win being against West Ham United in the 2015 / 2016 season, courtesy of a replay.
? When it comes to home matches in the FA Cup, Jose Mourinho has a good record, of 16 games he`s won 14, drawn 1 and lost 1.
? Jose Mourinho has won all 3 home FA Cup games he has been in charge of since joining Manchester United, with his side scoring 10 goals and conceding 0.
? Romelu Lukaku has a good scoring record in the FA Cup, his last 10 appearances in the competition have yielded 11 goals.
? Chris Hughton brings his Brighton side to Old Trafford for the fifth time as a manager, his previous 4 trips have produced 4 defeats and he`s yet to see his side score a goal.