Manchester United's millionaires were held to an embarrassing 0-0 tie by unheralded Exeter of the Nationwide Conference in the third round of the English FA Cup on Saturday (Jan 8).

Shocking upset : Exeter City captain Sean Devine celebrates after a scoreless draw against Manchester United during their FA Cup clash at Old Trafford in Manchester. [AFP]

Exeter is ranked 100 places below the Red Devils in the hierarchy of English soccer.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson rested some of his regulars, but in the second half he sent on three key first-team players - Paul Scholes, Alan Smith and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Manchester United and Exeter will play again to determine which team advances.

But Manchester City, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Norwich all were eliminated by lower division teams. Two other Premier League clubs were held to ties and face replays.

Manchester City lost to Oldham 1-0, Villa fell at Sheffield United 3-1, Crystal Palace lost to Sunderland 2-1, and Norwich was eliminated by West Ham 1-0.

Blackburn tied at Cardiff 1-1, and Fulham tied Watford 1-1.

Ten Premier League teams won, including Chelsea and Everton.

Liverpool's third-round match at Burnley on Friday was called off because the field was waterlogged. The game was rescheduled for Jan. 18.

Sunday's matches are Arsenal vs. Stoke, and Yeading vs. Newcastle.

Editor: Donald