Sheffield United: Why The Blades will be glued to their televisions on Monday night

Sheffield United are ball number 34 in the FA Cup third round draw: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Former Arsenal defender Tony Adams and Micah Richards, previously of Manchester City, Aston Villa and Fiorentina, will perform the draw, which takes place at the Etihad Stadium.

The ties are scheduled to take place on the weekend beginning January 4, subject to television coverage.

United, who return to Premier League action when they visit Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, lost to Barnet at the same stage of last season’s competition but went on to gain promotion from the Championship.

Despite reaching the semi-finals of the competition in 2014, under Chris Wilder’s predecessor Nigel Clough, they have not progressed beyond the fifth round since.

The winners of this term’s third round ties will receive £135,000 in prize money.

United will be ball number 34 in the pot, while their neighbours Sheffield Wednesday are 35. Selected other teams include Manchester United (25), Chelsea (13) and Liverpool (22). Holders City are number 24.