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FA Cup down to four-horse race - Man Utd's van Persie

Manchester United's Robin van Persie is of the belief that this season's FA Cup can be won by less than a handful of clubs.

Saturday's amazing results saw the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and Swansea City eliminated from the famous competition while United and Liverpool were forced into replays after 0-0 draws with Cambridge United and Bolton respectively.

In the wake of the weekend's outcomes, which also saw Arsenal and West Ham United progress to the fifth round, van Persie indicated that perhaps there were only a few teams left who have a really strong chance of holding the cup aloft this year.

"I think it has been 11 years since United won it last but I think we have a big chance this year," van Persie said.

"We want to win it. But again we have to look at the first game only because that is the next game against Cambridge (replay at Old Trafford on February 3).

"After the game against Cambridge, everyone was a little bit down. Although they played well so you have to give them credit because it is quite a stunt what they did. But in a way on Saturday, the whole mood changed. Manchester City were out. Chelsea were out and suddenly we are in it with a home replay against Cambridge.

"And of the so-called big clubs, with how it is now, it is just us, Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham, but we are the highest left in the competition."

The draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup takes place tonight at 7:20pm BST.

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Andrew Slevison
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