TRANMERE, Birkenhead -- It was 11.20 p.m. on Thursday evening. League One side Tranmere Rovers had just beaten Premier League Watford 2-1 in the FA Cup and there were six men with pitchforks on the playing surface at Prenton Park. The mist was floating in off the River Mersey and the clock was ticking. In less than 72 hours, Tranmere will host Manchester United (live on ESPN+ on Sunday, 10 a.m. ET) in the next round on the same stretch of turf -- although the vast swathes of mud and sand had obliterated most of the grass.
"Listen: everyone complains about it, but we've got to play on it as well," said Tranmere manager Micky Mellon after his side came through their third round replay to secure a fourth round clash against Manchester United.