Sweeping FA Cup changes to affect Man Utd, Man City and Newcastle United amid Champions League news

Sweeping changes to the FA Cup will affect Manchester United, Manchester City and Newcastle United from the start of the 2024/25 football season.

All clubs in the country will be touched by the proposed changes but they are set to be introduced as a result of those clubs competing in the Champions League, with the European competition set to extend from six to 10 Group Stage matches in the future.

Mail Sport reports on a bumper deal that would see the Premier League sell overseas TV rights for the FA Cup for a decade, starting in 2024 giving top-flight clubs control of the entire domestic calendar.

The FA have insisted that the process remains ongoing but it is understood that Chief Executive Mark Bullingham is accepting of the Premier League proposal that would change the face of the FA Cup.

Under the new fixture calendar, the infamous FA Cup replays would be abolished to keep scheduling streamlined. This would come at the cost of some iconic reverse fixtures, the likes of which we have seen in years gone by as English football giants travel to minnows.

The proposal also stipulates that the stand-alone FA Cup final weekend at the end of the season would be abolished. Instead, the fixture at Wembley Stadium would be brought forward to clash with a regular weekend of Premier League fixtures.

The FA Cup final would likely take place on the penultimate Saturday of the season with the Premier League schedule then taking place in full on the Sunday. Meanwhile, it is suggested that earlier rounds of the FA Cup would take place midweek.

To complete the deal, the Premier League is expected to offer a huge payment to the FA to fund grassroots football in return for the fixture control.

The proposals could spark resistance from lower division clubs, to whom the FA Cup is a vital money-maker and season highlight.

Manchester United and Manchester City both made it to the FA Cup Final last season, which was won by Pep Guardiola's side. Neither the Red Devils of the Cityzens had to factor in a replay into their seasons, winning all their rounds at the first opportunity.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United were knocked out by Sheffield Wednesday in their first match of the competition and Arsenal were knocked out in the second round by Manchester City.