Burton Albion against Manchester United

Burton is a famous old beer-brewing town; if their team hold on here, they might drink the breweries dry tonight.

Burton are just five minutes away from earning a money-spinning replay at Old Trafford.

United win a corner when O'Shea's attempted cross from the left is blocked. Richardson takes the corner, but the linesman rules that the ball went out of play as he tried to bend it in to the middle.

ALMOST! Corbett's shot from the edge of the penalty area is deflected, and Howard has to scramble across his goal-line to dive on the ball.

Gilroy again shows his class as he holds the ball up, beats Bardsley before finding a team-mate with a good pass.

Ducros is again on hand to break up a United attack as he intercepts Ronaldo's low cross inside his own penalty area.

BURTON SUB: Harrad off, Anderson on. The young striker has run his heart out this afternoon, and gets a good hand from the Burton fans.

Bardsley breaks down the right, and cuts the ball back to Rooney; the young England striker tries to work the space for a shot, but his attempted chip flies a couple of yards over the bar.

Silvestre gets in a crucial header following a high cross from the right wing.

It's very tense here at the moment; Burton have done a good job of withstanding the late pressure, but how long can it go on? Just over ten minutes to go...

Burton win a free-kick decision, 35 yards out. They send their two centre-backs forward, but Gilroy's set-piece is under-hit and United clear.

Burton finally get the chance for a breather as they win possession inside the United half. They try and build an attack of their own, but United stand firm.

Burton are defending heroically at the moment, but everytime they clear the ball it is coming straight back at them. They need to buy themselves some time up field.

Rooney works himself a yard of space inside the Burton penalty area, but his attempted shot is blocked by Sedgemore.

Burton manager Nigel Clough is still furious on the touchline after a free-kick decision failed to go his side's way.

There are no real signs of the Burton players tiring, despite all the effort they have put in to chasing the United players down and shutting down the space.

Burton win a corner of their own when Deeney's long kick up field is chased down by Richardson and Gilroy, and the United man is forced to put the ball behind.

Silvestre's cross from the dead-ball line is too strong, though pressure from Saha ensures that United win a corner.

HANDBALL! NO! Pique handles the ball on the edge of his own penalty area, but Referee Webb rules that Shaw had pushed the young Spaniard as they challenged for the ball and gives the free-kick to United. A nervous moment for the Reds.

Gilroy is still looking dangerous for Burton; he picks the ball up and runs at the United defence and is only stopped by a strong tackle from Bardsley.

Burton have defended very well so far, but Rooney's introduction has caused them a lot of trouble.

Can the minnows hang on for another 25 minutes or so and force a replay at Old Trafford? Stay here and find out...

BLOCK! Austin makes a crucial block as Saha latched on to a loose ball following a United corner from the left. Burton are under immense pressure at the moment.

Deeney is then forced in to another sprawling save as Rooney shoots from the edge of the penalty area. He has really made a difference in the few minutes since he has come on.

ROONEY! Deeny makes a superb point-blank save from Rooney as the young striker closed in on goal.

GREAT CHANCE! Ronaldo plays a fabulous pass through to Saha; his first touch is good, but the ball bobbles slightly and his shot dribbles well wide of the far post with only Deeney to beat.

OFF-SIDE! Saha has a goal ruled out for off-side as he nods home from six yards out after good skills from Ronaldo inside the Burton penalty area.

Burton are really on the back foot at the moment.

The Burton fans seemed to greet Rooney's arrival on the pitch with mixed emotions; on the one hand, they don't want him to come on and win the game for United - but on the other hand it is a great chance to see one of the world's very best players.

SHOT! Rooney's first contribution is an audacious bicycle kick from a Richardson corner that flies a few yards over the crossbar.

UNITED SUBS: Rooney and Ronaldo replace Solskjaer and Jones. An attacking change from Ferguson as he ackowledges his side's shortcomings with two big-name changes.

Deeney shows good pace and awareness to come out and collect a long ball over the top as Saha sprinted down on him.

Silvestre sends over a long cross to the back post towards Solskjaer, but the United captain slightly mis-judges the flight and can't get an effort in on goal.

United seem to be preparing to make a change or two; Rooney and Ronaldo are seen going through some final preparations on the sidelines.

Pique shows good strength to stand up against Gilroy as the tricky winger attempted to get on the end of Shaw's flick on.

WIDE! Richardson slides a first-time shot a yard or so wide of the post after a neat one-two with Rossi. He just couldn't wrap his boot around the ball enough to direct his effort on target.

Gilroy again skips past Bardsley with ease, but Brown is again across to provide cover at right-back.

Burton are having to work very hard now to contain the United midfield; Saha seems to be getting in to the game a lot more now that United are looking for him with long balls over the top.

Silvestre slices an attempted clearance in to the crowd; he looks suspiciously at the pitch as the home fans jeer.

Saha is unlucky to be judged off-side as he ran on to Jones' pass through the middle. A nervous moment for the minnows, but they got the call from the linesman.

A loose ball falls to United on the edge of the Burton area, but Stride eventually clears for a throw. United have started a lot stronger in this second half.

HEADER! Pique heads Richardson's free-kick over the crossbar from six yards out. He was under pressure from his marker, but perhaps should have done better there.

Gilmore shows good composure and skill to beat his man and loft a good cross to the back post, though it's a little too high for Harrad.

United boss Ferguson would have had strong words to say at half time; the Reds have never been knocked out of the third round of the FA Cup under his stewardship.

Silvestre hits a long ball forward for Saha to chase, but Deeney is out of his area to clear in to the stands.

The players are back out on to the pitch, and United kick off the second half. No changes from either side at the break.

HALF-TIME: Burton have coped with the tricky pitch much better than United, and have looked the better side. Much to think about at half-time for Ferguson.

...The ball is lofted in to the middle by Ducros, but Silvestre heads clear.

Pique comes over the top of Shaw and gives away a late free-kick in a dangerous spot...

Burton have been really impressive in this first half; they have shown composure and patience in the final third, and have shown no signs of being overawed by the situation.

OFF THE LINE, AGAIN! This time Bardsley needs to be alert to clear Stride's header off the line at the far post following a well-delivered Burton corner.

CHANCE! Shaw turns Pique in the penalty area, but as he was about to fire his shot in on Howard's goal, Brown came across to block and put the ball out for a corner.

Nigel Clough has his young son Willie sat alongside him on the bench this afternoon; the television cameras pick out the manager chatting with his boy; perhaps he is asking him for some tactical advice?

Manchester United's recent signing Nemanja Vidic is spotted in the crowd, watching his new team-mates.

United are having much more joy now that they are getting the ball up to Saha and Rossi quicker; Burton are beginning to look a little stretched.

SAHA! Jones curls a right-footed corner in to the middle, Saha makes a run to the near post but plants his diving header well wide. United are getting closer.

GOOD DEFENDING! O'Shea lofts a great pass over the top of the Burton defence to Saha, but Austin is quick to provide the cover and whip the ball off the foot of the Frenchman as he turned to shoot.

Howard rather spoons an attempted clearance high up in the air, but Stride and Harrad are unable to capitalise.

OVER! Rossi flicks a long ball on to Saha, who controls the ball on his chest before firing a volley high over Deeney's bar. United are starting to come in to the game a little more now.

GREAT EFFORT! Bardsley shows some stunning skill as he flicks the ball over the head of his marker before unleashing a superb volley that dips inches over the crossbar.

Burton are closing United down very quickly high up the pitch, putting the visitors' defenders under a lot of pressure. And the tactic is really paying dividends at the moment.

Gilmore goes on another good run down the left, and Bardsley is forced to come across and put the ball in to the stands for a Burton throw.

Tinson is a little miffed as the referee rules he fouled O'Shea as the two challenged for the ball on the halfway line.

Ferguson is trying to get the message out to his players to knock the ball longer from the back, to get it quicker in to his two strikers.

Austin heads clear Solskjaer's cross from the right as United finally get some possession in the Burton half.

SHOT! Great play by Burton. Hall beats Richardson with a nutmeg and plays the ball in to Shaw. He controls the bobbling ball and fires a volley from 25 yards, though Howard collects comfortably.

Referee Webb is helping the tempo of the game; he is letting it flow if he possibly can, and the result has been a very entertaining first half-hour.

Richie Jones goes in hard from behind on Ducros; free-kick to the home side, on the half-way line.

United have plenty of attacking options on the bench, should Sir Alex choose to use them; Ronaldo and Rooney are looking on eagerly from the touchline...

The uneven pitch is much more suited to Burton's style of play than United's, although, to be fair, the Conference side aren't simply slinging long balls forward; they are playing with a lot of composure.

Sir Alex Ferguson looks a little concerned on the touchline; his side just can't get any quality service in to Saha and Rossi at the moment.

The ball is swung in to the near post, but it takes a deflection off a United leg and Howard gets down to take the loose ball comfortably.

Bardley's slide tackle on Gilroy is ruled a foul by the referee, and the home side have the chance to send a dangerous ball in to the United area...

Another good Burton move ends when Shaw just fails to control Corbett's pass in to the United penalty area and Howard collects.

Another long pass from Silvestre ends in the arms of the Burton keeper Deeney. United are struggling to get any sort of passing move together, due to the pitch and Burton's eagerness.

Austin requires some treatment from the Burton physio, though he is soon back on his feet.

Harrad shows great determination as he chases down Bardsley and blocks the youngster's attempted clearance.

It has been a fairly even opening to this match, with Burton showing some good touches and skill, despite the difficult conditions. United are struggling to get their passing game going.

SHOT! O'Shea's shot dribbles well wide of Deeney's goal, much to the delight of the vocal home fans.

Corbett does excellently to tackle Solskjaer as the United skipper tried to control Silvestre's raking pass out to the right win.

That was a real scare for United; Shaw was completely unmarked on the near post and his header would have gone in the far corner had it not been for Silvestre's intervention.

OFF THE LINE! The corner is swung in to the near post, where Burton flicks on. Fortunately for the Premiership giants, Silvestre is on the back post and clears with his thigh.

Burton win a corner when Pique needs to slide the ball out as Shaw breaks down the left channel.

SHOT! Saha takes a high ball down at the back post, beats his man but horribly mis-cues his shot. A good chance for the Frenchman.

Brown lofts a long, high ball through the middle of the Burton defence, but Austin deals with the danger with ease, nodding the ball back to Deeney.

The pitch is holding up quite well, but it has become very bobbly, and some of the players are having real trouble with their touch and control in these early stages.

A great spell from Burton as they knock the ball about with creativity and skill on the edge of the United box, though they are unable to get a telling cross in to the danger area.

From the throw, Gilroy fires a low pass across the United area, but it is just behind the run of Chris Hall, bursting in to the penalty box.

A loose pass from Saha brings a good United move to an end. Burton immediately break and Pique is forced to put the ball out for a throw, deep in United territory.

There is a really good atmosphere inside the Pirelli Stadium; the home fans are making the most of their special day.

CHANCE! Bardsley breaks down the right, cuts the ball back to Jones, but the young midfielder completely misses his kick on the penalty spot and Tinson hoofs clear.

Solskjaer brings down Gilroy on Burton's left wing. Gilroy is the player that we've been told to look out for on the Burton side; he is a quick and direct winger with good skills on the ball.

SHOT! Harrad runs at Silvestre before unleashing a shot from 25 yards, though it flies high over Howard's crossbar.

Solskjaer has played only seven minutes of first-team football since his appearance in the FA Cup final of 2004, so it's good to see him out there this afternoon.

A nice little spell of pressure from the Conference side as they loft a free-kick in to the United area and follow it up with another promising cross.

Burton have made a good, confident start; they are passing the ball along the ground and getting players forward in numbers.

United have some inexperienced players on show this evening, but Sir Alex Ferguson has also opted to field some of his bigger names to help them out.

The pitch is causing a little concern for the players; it has stopped raining here in the east Midlands, but the pitch looks quite heavy in places.

Burton kick off this third round match to a roar from the home side.

United have been forced in to a late team change, as Park Ji-Sung was injured in the warm-up. O'Shea comes in to replace the South Korean.

Hello. My name is Alex, and I'm here to commentate on the biggest game in Burton Albion's history - their home FA Cup clash against the mighty Manchester United.

Burton manager Nigel Clough is still furious on the touchline after a free-kick decision failed to go his side's way.

There are no real signs of the Burton players tiring, despite all the effort they have put in to chasing the United players down and shutting down the space.

Burton win a corner of their own when Deeney's long kick up field is chased down by Richardson and Gilroy, and the United man is forced to put the ball behind.

Silvestre's cross from the dead-ball line is too strong, though pressure from Saha ensures that United win a corner.

HANDBALL! NO! Pique handles the ball on the edge of his own penalty area, but Referee Webb rules that Shaw had pushed the young Spaniard as they challenged for the ball and gives the free-kick to United. A nervous moment for the Reds.

Gilroy is still looking dangerous for Burton; he picks the ball up and runs at the United defence and is only stopped by a strong tackle from Bardsley.

Burton have defended very well so far, but Rooney's introduction has caused them a lot of trouble.

Can the minnows hang on for another 25 minutes or so and force a replay at Old Trafford? Stay here and find out...

BLOCK! Austin makes a crucial block as Saha latched on to a loose ball following a United corner from the left. Burton are under immense pressure at the moment.

Deeney is then forced in to another sprawling save as Rooney shoots from the edge of the penalty area. He has really made a difference in the few minutes since he has come on.

ROONEY! Deeny makes a superb point-blank save from Rooney as the young striker closed in on goal.

GREAT CHANCE! Ronaldo plays a fabulous pass through to Saha; his first touch is good, but the ball bobbles slightly and his shot dribbles well wide of the far post with only Deeney to beat.

OFF-SIDE! Saha has a goal ruled out for off-side as he nods home from six yards out after good skills from Ronaldo inside the Burton penalty area.

Burton are really on the back foot at the moment.

The Burton fans seemed to greet Rooney's arrival on the pitch with mixed emotions; on the one hand, they don't want him to come on and win the game for United - but on the other hand it is a great chance to see one of the world's very best players.

SHOT! Rooney's first contribution is an audacious bicycle kick from a Richardson corner that flies a few yards over the crossbar.

UNITED SUBS: Rooney and Ronaldo replace Solskjaer and Jones. An attacking change from Ferguson as he ackowledges his side's shortcomings with two big-name changes.

Deeney shows good pace and awareness to come out and collect a long ball over the top as Saha sprinted down on him.

Silvestre sends over a long cross to the back post towards Solskjaer, but the United captain slightly mis-judges the flight and can't get an effort in on goal.

United seem to be preparing to make a change or two; Rooney and Ronaldo are seen going through some final preparations on the sidelines.

Pique shows good strength to stand up against Gilroy as the tricky winger attempted to get on the end of Shaw's flick on.

WIDE! Richardson slides a first-time shot a yard or so wide of the post after a neat one-two with Rossi. He just couldn't wrap his boot around the ball enough to direct his effort on target.

Gilroy again skips past Bardsley with ease, but Brown is again across to provide cover at right-back.

Burton are having to work very hard now to contain the United midfield; Saha seems to be getting in to the game a lot more now that United are looking for him with long balls over the top.

Silvestre slices an attempted clearance in to the crowd; he looks suspiciously at the pitch as the home fans jeer.

Saha is unlucky to be judged off-side as he ran on to Jones' pass through the middle. A nervous moment for the minnows, but they got the call from the linesman.

A loose ball falls to United on the edge of the Burton area, but Stride eventually clears for a throw. United have started a lot stronger in this second half.

HEADER! Pique heads Richardson's free-kick over the crossbar from six yards out. He was under pressure from his marker, but perhaps should have done better there.

Gilmore shows good composure and skill to beat his man and loft a good cross to the back post, though it's a little too high for Harrad.

United boss Ferguson would have had strong words to say at half time; the Reds have never been knocked out of the third round of the FA Cup under his stewardship.

Silvestre hits a long ball forward for Saha to chase, but Deeney is out of his area to clear in to the stands.

The players are back out on to the pitch, and United kick off the second half. No changes from either side at the break.

HALF-TIME: Burton have coped with the tricky pitch much better than United, and have looked the better side. Much to think about at half-time for Ferguson.

...The ball is lofted in to the middle by Ducros, but Silvestre heads clear.

Pique comes over the top of Shaw and gives away a late free-kick in a dangerous spot...

Burton have been really impressive in this first half; they have shown composure and patience in the final third, and have shown no signs of being overawed by the situation.

OFF THE LINE, AGAIN! This time Bardsley needs to be alert to clear Stride's header off the line at the far post following a well-delivered Burton corner.

CHANCE! Shaw turns Pique in the penalty area, but as he was about to fire his shot in on Howard's goal, Brown came across to block and put the ball out for a corner.

Nigel Clough has his young son Willie sat alongside him on the bench this afternoon; the television cameras pick out the manager chatting with his boy; perhaps he is asking him for some tactical advice?

Manchester United's recent signing Nemanja Vidic is spotted in the crowd, watching his new team-mates.

United are having much more joy now that they are getting the ball up to Saha and Rossi quicker; Burton are beginning to look a little stretched.

SAHA! Jones curls a right-footed corner in to the middle, Saha makes a run to the near post but plants his diving header well wide. United are getting closer.

GOOD DEFENDING! O'Shea lofts a great pass over the top of the Burton defence to Saha, but Austin is quick to provide the cover and whip the ball off the foot of the Frenchman as he turned to shoot.

Howard rather spoons an attempted clearance high up in the air, but Stride and Harrad are unable to capitalise.

OVER! Rossi flicks a long ball on to Saha, who controls the ball on his chest before firing a volley high over Deeney's bar. United are starting to come in to the game a little more now.

GREAT EFFORT! Bardsley shows some stunning skill as he flicks the ball over the head of his marker before unleashing a superb volley that dips inches over the crossbar.

Burton are closing United down very quickly high up the pitch, putting the visitors' defenders under a lot of pressure. And the tactic is really paying dividends at the moment.

Gilmore goes on another good run down the left, and Bardsley is forced to come across and put the ball in to the stands for a Burton throw.

Tinson is a little miffed as the referee rules he fouled O'Shea as the two challenged for the ball on the halfway line.

Ferguson is trying to get the message out to his players to knock the ball longer from the back, to get it quicker in to his two strikers.

Austin heads clear Solskjaer's cross from the right as United finally get some possession in the Burton half.

SHOT! Great play by Burton. Hall beats Richardson with a nutmeg and plays the ball in to Shaw. He controls the bobbling ball and fires a volley from 25 yards, though Howard collects comfortably.

Referee Webb is helping the tempo of the game; he is letting it flow if he possibly can, and the result has been a very entertaining first half-hour.

Richie Jones goes in hard from behind on Ducros; free-kick to the home side, on the half-way line.

United have plenty of attacking options on the bench, should Sir Alex choose to use them; Ronaldo and Rooney are looking on eagerly from the touchline...

The uneven pitch is much more suited to Burton's style of play than United's, although, to be fair, the Conference side aren't simply slinging long balls forward; they are playing with a lot of composure.

Sir Alex Ferguson looks a little concerned on the touchline; his side just can't get any quality service in to Saha and Rossi at the moment.

The ball is swung in to the near post, but it takes a deflection off a United leg and Howard gets down to take the loose ball comfortably.

Bardley's slide tackle on Gilroy is ruled a foul by the referee, and the home side have the chance to send a dangerous ball in to the United area...

Another good Burton move ends when Shaw just fails to control Corbett's pass in to the United penalty area and Howard collects.

Another long pass from Silvestre ends in the arms of the Burton keeper Deeney. United are struggling to get any sort of passing move together, due to the pitch and Burton's eagerness.

Austin requires some treatment from the Burton physio, though he is soon back on his feet.

Harrad shows great determination as he chases down Bardsley and blocks the youngster's attempted clearance.

It has been a fairly even opening to this match, with Burton showing some good touches and skill, despite the difficult conditions. United are struggling to get their passing game going.

SHOT! O'Shea's shot dribbles well wide of Deeney's goal, much to the delight of the vocal home fans.

Corbett does excellently to tackle Solskjaer as the United skipper tried to control Silvestre's raking pass out to the right win.

That was a real scare for United; Shaw was completely unmarked on the near post and his header would have gone in the far corner had it not been for Silvestre's intervention.

OFF THE LINE! The corner is swung in to the near post, where Burton flicks on. Fortunately for the Premiership giants, Silvestre is on the back post and clears with his thigh.

Burton win a corner when Pique needs to slide the ball out as Shaw breaks down the left channel.

SHOT! Saha takes a high ball down at the back post, beats his man but horribly mis-cues his shot. A good chance for the Frenchman.

Brown lofts a long, high ball through the middle of the Burton defence, but Austin deals with the danger with ease, nodding the ball back to Deeney.

The pitch is holding up quite well, but it has become very bobbly, and some of the players are having real trouble with their touch and control in these early stages.

A great spell from Burton as they knock the ball about with creativity and skill on the edge of the United box, though they are unable to get a telling cross in to the danger area.

From the throw, Gilroy fires a low pass across the United area, but it is just behind the run of Chris Hall, bursting in to the penalty box.

A loose pass from Saha brings a good United move to an end. Burton immediately break and Pique is forced to put the ball out for a throw, deep in United territory.

There is a really good atmosphere inside the Pirelli Stadium; the home fans are making the most of their special day.

CHANCE! Bardsley breaks down the right, cuts the ball back to Jones, but the young midfielder completely misses his kick on the penalty spot and Tinson hoofs clear.

Solskjaer brings down Gilroy on Burton's left wing. Gilroy is the player that we've been told to look out for on the Burton side; he is a quick and direct winger with good skills on the ball.

SHOT! Harrad runs at Silvestre before unleashing a shot from 25 yards, though it flies high over Howard's crossbar.

Solskjaer has played only seven minutes of first-team football since his appearance in the FA Cup final of 2004, so it's good to see him out there this afternoon.

A nice little spell of pressure from the Conference side as they loft a free-kick in to the United area and follow it up with another promising cross.

Burton have made a good, confident start; they are passing the ball along the ground and getting players forward in numbers.

United have some inexperienced players on show this evening, but Sir Alex Ferguson has also opted to field some of his bigger names to help them out.

The pitch is causing a little concern for the players; it has stopped raining here in the east Midlands, but the pitch looks quite heavy in places.

Burton kick off this third round match to a roar from the home side.

United have been forced in to a late team change, as Park Ji-Sung was injured in the warm-up. O'Shea comes in to replace the South Korean.

Hello. My name is Alex, and I'm here to commentate on the biggest game in Burton Albion's history - their home FA Cup clash against the mighty Manchester United.