Cedric Soares made a successful full debut for Fulham earlier this week, setting up an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.

Fulham's Portuguese defender Cedric Soares controls the ball during the English FA Cup fifth-round football match between Fulham and Leeds United at Craven Cottage in Fulham, west London on February 28, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Fulham’s Portuguese defender Cedric Soares controls the ball during the English FA Cup fifth-round football match between Fulham and Leeds United at Craven Cottage in Fulham, west London on February 28, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

After completing a loan move to Fulham in the January transfer window, Cedric Soares has had to wait for his chance to start for his new side.

The right-back made a brief substitute appearance against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on February 11th, but he was ineligible for their FA Cup replay earlier that week and sat on the bench for the following two league games.

Cedric finally got the chance to make his full debut on Tuesday, playing against Leeds in the FA Cup fifth round.

The game went well, with Fulham winning 2-0 to progress to the next round. Cedric made two tackles, two interceptions, completed 82% of his passes, and won 50% of his duels in a solid start.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news

Fulham then drew Manchester United away from home, with that match to take place the week after next.

Cedric is Arsenal’s last remaining representative in the FA Cup, with Southampton exiting the competition to Grimsby Town.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is on loan at Southampton, but he didn’t feature in their shock cup defeat.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Southampton in action during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Southampton FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2022 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Southampton in action during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Southampton FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2022. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

With many of the big-six clubs already knocked out of the competition, there’s certainly a chance of a shock cup win if Fulham can get past Manchester United.

Here’s the draw for the next round in full:

  • Brighton vs Grimsby Town
  • Sheffield United vs Blackburn Rovers
  • Manchester City vs Burnley
  • Manchester United vs Fulham

The two Manchester clubs are clearly the favourites, but Fulham and Brighton may look to take advantage of the distractions those two clubs face in the Premier League and in Europe.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news