Mark Goldbridge shares an unusual conspiracy theory regarding the FA Cup draw after learning Manchester United’s opponents.

Mark Goldbridge has shared a controversial theory after Manchester United were drawn against Arsenal in the FA Cup.

The third-round draw, conducted at Old Trafford on Monday evening and broadcast live on BBC Two, was carried out by Mark Hughes and Dion Dublin, creating 32 matchups. This stage saw all Premier League and Championship clubs join the competition, alongside two non-league sides: Tamworth and Dagenham & Redbridge.

Tamworth, currently 16th in the National League, will host Spurs, while Accrington Stanley travels to Liverpool, and Manchester City faces Gary Neville’s Salford City at home. Elsewhere, Everton will meet Peterborough United in a game that could see Ashley Young go up against his 18-year-old son.

United’s draw will see them face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, a fixture that revives one of the FA Cup’s most memorable rivalries. However, Goldbridge, a United supporter and popular streamer, expressed skepticism about the fairness of the draw.

Taking to X, he wrote: “Man City vs Salford at home and we get Arsenal away. Someone heating the balls up again?” His comments sparked debate online, with several others suggesting the draw might have been rigged.

One fan commented: “That’s fixed. Arsenal vs Utd. I’m sure he (Dublin or Hughes) didn’t even mix them around.” Another added: “Calling fix, United getting drawn away to Arsenal, City getting Salford at home, and Liverpool getting an effective nobody.”

Despite these claims, there is no evidence to support any wrongdoing. It’s worth noting that last season, United faced Wigan, Newport, and Coventry en route to the FA Cup final, where they defeated rivals Manchester City 2-1 to lift the trophy. Under new manager Ruben Amorim, United are aiming to defend their title and equal Arsenal’s record of 14 FA Cup

victories.