Big two meet in FA Cup semi-final

Manchester United and Arsenal were pitted against each other in today's FA Cup semi-final draw.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side stand between the Gunners and a record fourth-consecutive FA Cup final, although the last time United reached the semi-finals - in 1999 - they were victorious against Arsenal.

The Nationwide League is guaranteed a team in the final, because Sunderland were drawn to face the winners of the replay between Tranmere and Millwall.

The ties will be played on the first weekend of April.

The winners of the all-Football League semi-final will be in the UEFA Cup,

assuming neither Arsenal nor Manchester United fall from grace spectacularly and

miss out on a European place via their Premiership position.

United and Arsenal met in the FA Cup fifth round last season, the Gunners running out 2-0 winners at Old Trafford en route to winning the competition.

The match became infamous after Ferguson reacted to the defeat by kicking a stray boot in the dressing room - which struck David Beckham on the head.

United have not reached the last four since the match in 1999 when they beat Arsenal in a replay at Villa Park, Ryan Giggs scoring a spectacular solo winner. They went on to beat Newcastle in the final on their way to winning the treble.