On Friday evening, all eyes will be on the Abbey Stadium as Cambridge United play host to Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

It's arguably one of the biggest games in the League Two side's recent history, with a 9,617 capacity crowd, many of whom will be hoping for an upset, in attendance.

Here, Sports Mole has looked ahead to the tie with Cambridge forward Robbie Simpson, who is enjoying his second spell with the club.

Ever since the draw, have you noticed more of a buzz among the playing squad?
"The club had a great season last year, winning at Wembley twice, but this kind of fixture takes it to the next level. We haven't been in this round of the competition for quite a few years, so to get this far was an achievement. Then, obviously to pick up a draw like Manchester United, there are not many better draws that we could have got. Straight after the draw in training the next day, you noticed more of a zip to things. The camera crews were there straight away on the Tuesday morning! It's definitely produced more of a buzz around the place."

Players and managers will always say that they are not getting carried away and are completely focused on their upcoming league games. You beat both Carlisle United and Newport County, but has it been tough?
"Not really, to be honest. In terms of the group of lads we've got, we wouldn't think about too much if it wasn't for people on the outside. The gaffer has been good as well. We've obviously been talking about Man United because if you prepare for a game against them, the preparation for Carlisle and Newport took care of itself. If you prepare to play the best, you can't do much more than that.

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"In terms of the intensity of training, it's gone up a notch, but we've said that we needed to go into the United match on the back of two good results. We got a good result at Carlisle in some very tough conditions and we did same against Newport. I know it's a bit of a cliche, but the league is our bread and butter and we really want to achieve something. I think most people connected with the club will concede that we've been underachieving with our league position at the moment. We want to push to get into that top seven."

On occasions cup runs are blamed for poor league form, but Cambridge showed last year that it can also have a positive impact. Can the same happen this year?
"I really hope so. The squad showed last year that they have the mentality to do well in both the cup and the league. I believe we've still got that. Hopefully we can produce that again. You never know what will happen against Man United. We might progress, or maybe not, but if we do, I'm certain on the evidence of last year that it can galvanise our league form."

Is there a genuine belief among the playing squad that you can beat Man United?
"There is. Me personally, I've been involved in some cup upsets and I know a few of the other lads have as well. Michael Nelson (Cambridge centre-back) was a part of the Bradford squad that got to the League Cup final not too long ago, although I'm not saying we're going to reach the final of the FA Cup! However, we certainly believe that we can can cause an upset. There hasn't been one really in the competition so far and there always is one, so why not us?"

As you mentioned, the likes of yourself and Nelson have been involved in upsets, while Luke Chadwick has played in some big games. How important could that experience prove to be on Friday?
"I hope us three that you've mentioned there can have a positive influence on the group. Hopefully it can give them some belief. I've already had some of the lads ask me about my experiences in the cups, so obviously they want to learn a bit about how to go about causing an upset."

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Much has been made of Man United's supposed defensive weaknesses this season. As a forward, does that fill you with confidence?
"Let's make no mistake about it, they are still international footballers back there and we are League Two players. In terms of confidence, we know that it's probably going to be the toughest game of our season. We're going to have to be at our very best to get through their defence and keep the ball well enough to create some chances. It might be a case of we get just one chance and we're going to have to take it. We all watched the Yeovil Town game and they had a great chance at 0-0, but they didn't take it and if they had, it could have been a different story - we might have been playing Yeovil! It will be a matter of taking that one chance that does come along. Hopefully there will be more, but it's vital we take whatever we get."

It's a bit of a cliche, but how important will the first goal be? After all, if Man United were to score early, it could flatten things, couldn't it?
"It's massive, without a doubt. Like I've said, I've been involved in some upsets and that first goal really is key. Not only in terms of the game, it will just lift the whole stadium. If we get that first goal, suddenly everyone believes that we can beat them, rather than just being there for the occasion. From experience, we're going to have to get lucky and our goalkeeper is going to need to have a good night."

Last weekend, they had the same number of points as they did under David Moyes's management last term, but what have you made of Man United's performances under Louis van Gaal?
"I was surprised at that stat because if you look at the brand of football that they're playing this season - I know they've spent a lot of money and brought in some big, big names, whereas Moyes didn't - it's very good, especially going forward. I've been quite impressed with that.

"I watched the Southampton game and they were fantastic. Their intensity was brilliant and they had that one chance and they stuck it away, which sealed the three points. The intensity of their play in terms of the defensive work - the midfield two especially - is something that in training straight after we've tried to replicate.

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"It's going to have to be that kind of defensive intensity from us. I know Juan Mata could have had a hat-trick on another day, but it seemed right from the start that Southampton were determined to keep a clean sheet and it was just a case of taking the one chance that they created. Hopefully we can take some inspiration from that and replicate it."

Overall, how important is this game for Cambridge? Not just on the pitch, but off it as well.
"It's massive for everyone. The club have done a good thing in terms of how they are selling tickets. It's a game that the club hasn't had for a long time, instead they've been flirting with administration in previous years. To be able to have this one off game where we can produce so much profit for the club really is massive. You can sense that from every staff member you speak to."

This is obviously your second stint at Cambridge, where you started your professional career. What are the main differences between the club that you left and the one that you have re-joined?
"Stability, for one. Last time I was here, we had a second from last game of the season against Aldershot that we needed to win, otherwise the club was probably going to go into liquidation. There was that much pressure on the game, but we managed to win 1-0 (Simpson scored the only goal of the game).

"Coming back, it's a completely different club. Before, we'd drive to the stadium and not know where we were training. We would probably go to five or six different colleges or local commons - a different one each day. Now we've got a stable training base and everything in terms of the management style is far more professional as well.

"When I came back, I knew I was coming into a group of players that had the right workrate levels and attitude and maybe that was not the case in the past. It's a familiar club to me, but at the same time it's great to come back to see how it's progressed. I wouldn't have come back if I didn't believe the club had taken that step. It also has the potential to really kick on and become a big force in the Football League."

Cambridge United host Manchester United in the FA Cup this Friday, with kickoff at 7.55pm.