Manchester United host a Reading side managed by former Old Trafford favourite Steve Coppell when the FA Cup fifth round gets under way this weekend.

Champions Chelsea face second division Norwich City, Arsenal take on Blackburn Rovers and Fulham meet Tottenham Hotspur in a London derby among the other ties.

Coppell was a hugely popular figure on the red and white side of Manchester, making over 300 appearances for United as a winger during a spell that started in 1975 and was cut short by a knee injury in 1983.

No stranger to the FA Cup during his time there, Coppell made three final appearances at Wembley - whose re-built stadium is scheduled to host this season's final on May 19.

A member of the young side who lost to Southampton in 1976, Coppell helped United beat Liverpool in 1977 before suffering defeat again to Arsenal in 1979.

He has already been back to Old Trafford once this season, where his promoted club went down fighting 3-2 to the Premier League leaders.

Saturday could be harder still as Coppell's main focus is sustaining a good Premier League run which has taken them up to sixth in the table and within sight of Europe.

His assistant Kevin Dillon told their website (www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk) that Coppell would rotate his squad as usual for a Cup game, resting league regulars from last weekend's 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

"Steve is very consistent with his selections so I'm sure there will be changes to the team that played against Villa," Dillon said.

"We'll be changing the team, but not necessarily weakening it."

"I think whoever wins this game will win the cup, that's my prediction," he told club website readingfc.co.uk.

United manager Alex Ferguson may well decide to keep some of his powder dry too for next Tuesday's first leg in Lille in the Champions League last 16.

The situation is the same for Chelsea, who are away to coach Jose Mourinho's former club Porto on Wednesday.

Chelsea look to be finally getting to the end of a lengthy injury list, though defender Ashley Cole and midfielders Michael Ballack and Joe Cole are still unavailable.

Nigerian Jon Obi Mikel could well get a run-out in the middle with Ivorian Salomon Kalou on the flank, supporting Didier Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko up front.

However, the gap in status between a Norwich side languishing 18th in the second division - compared to Chelsea's second place in the top-flight - is bound to make itself felt at Stamford Bridge.

Upsets are more likely in one of three other games involving second division sides. Ipswich Town are at struggling Watford, West Bromwich Albion visit Middlesbrough and Preston North End will try their luck at home to Manchester City.

One second division side is certain to make the quarter-finals after Plymouth Argyle's tie with Derby County.

(China Daily via Agencies February 16, 2007)