Cup fighter Redknapp stands in United's way

LONDON, Jan 25 (Reuters) Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal will focus their minds this weekend on a possible May engagement at the spectacular new Wembley stadium.

The FA Cup fourth round draw was kind to the three heavyweights, sparing them long away trips or muddy scraps at lower level opposition.

League leaders United and Arsenal face familiar foes with home ties against Portsmouth and Bolton Wanderers respectively, while Chelsea, already installed in the League Cup final, host third division fallen giants Nottingham Forest.

Tottenham Hotspur will also fancy their chances of a Cup run.

They host second division strugglers Southend United on Saturday, just three days after their League Cup semi-final first leg against arch-rivals Arsenal at White Hart Lane.

United have the perfect chance to clear their heads after a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal punctured their Premier League title charge on Sunday, although fans of the club will be wary of crafty Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp.

Redknapp has transformed Portsmouth from relegation fodder into a top-six side this season, and he is no stranger to Cup upsets against the Old Trafford giants.

At the same stage of the competition in 2001, his West Ham United side pulled off a 1-0 victory thanks to a late goal from Paolo di Canio.

Cup romantics, however, will cherish fonder memories of Redknapp's lowly Bournemouth side who humbled FA Cup holders United 2-0 at a frenzied Dean Court in 1984.

HAT-TRICK DREAMS While Redknapp's priority this season will be to seal a UEFA Cup place for Pompey, he would love to claim a hat-trick of Cup shocks over United.

''The draw wasn't kind to us,'' Redknapp said. ''We were hoping to get into the last 16 while some of the bigger teams knocked each other out.

''(Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Wayne) Rooney are two incredible talents. We know it's going to be tough but we'll give it a go.'' Arsenal, who hammered holders Liverpool in round three, face Bolton for the third season running in the FA Cup, having lost 1-0 away in last season's fourth round after winning by the same margin the season before.

Just one place separates the sides in the Premier League, but Arsenal are yet to lose at their Emirates Stadium and they should maintain that record on Sunday against a Bolton side whipped 5-1 by Middlesbrough last weekend.

Former European champions Forest will have to contend with former European Player of the Year Andriy Shevchenko when they travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The out-of-favour Ukraine striker bagged two goals in Chelsea's 4-0 League Cup semi-final victory over Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday and manager Jose Mourinho will give him another chance to shine against Forest.

''I think he's arriving where we want him to arrive, he's got the message,'' Mourinho said of a player who has struggled to establish himself at Stamford Bridge.

Two fourth division clubs are still alive and kicking. Barnet, who had never reached the fourth round before, take on second division Plymouth Argyle, while Bristol Rovers travel to second division leaders Derby County.

Reuters PM DB0931