All To Be Decided At Old Trafford

Brighton & Hove Albion’s Emirates FA Cup fate will be decided inside one meeting against Manchester United next month - with no replays possible across the four quarter-final ties.

The FA confirmed the rule change in 2016 after years of replays in the final eight of the competition, and this season will be the second successive year that replays will not apply.

The decision was made as part of an ongoing review into the famous competition, as The FA show their commitment towards easing English football's congested fixture schedule.

The Seagulls secured a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford back in 1981 to force the Red Devils into a replay at the Goldstone Ground, however the visitors progressed with a 2-0 win on the south coast.

If Chris Hughton’s team are to book a semi-final date at Wembley Stadium in April, they’ll have to get the job done at the home of the 2016 FA Cup winners, with extra time and penalties both possible.

With Albion awaiting their first-ever win at Old Trafford, the difficulty of the task is no secret - but the Seagulls can take confidence from their positive performance in the narrow 1-0 defeat in the Premier League earlier this season.