Carabao Cup draw LIVE: Man Utd face Charlton as Man City and Newcastle also discover quarter-final opponents

It is a moot point how many of the world’s best managers are found at the World Cup these days but two of the finest were found in the Carabao Cup, shifting attention back to domestic duty in typically compelling fashion. This is not the trophy Pep Guardiola has admitted he needs to complete his time at Manchester City. But, while he dreams of the Champions League, he moved closer to a record fifth League Cup, eliminating the holders Liverpool FC and beating his old nemesis Jurgen Klopp.

It was the night the club game returned with a vengeance, wresting the attention from its international counterpart, suggesting the standards can be higher here, illustrating that many of the sport’s finest forwards were not seen in Qatar in the last month. Three of them scored, in Erling Haaland, Riyad Mahrez and Mohamed Salah, though the match-winner was the only World Cup quarter-finalist to start, in Nathan Ake.

Arguably the evening’s outstanding figure was one of the World Cup’s great underachievers, in Kevin de Bruyne, who set up City’s first and third goals. Having controversially, if correctly, deemed Belgium too old to succeed in Qatar, he looks likelier to secure silverware in the colours of his club.

Quarter-finals: Week commencing 9th January 2023

Semi-finals: First-leg - week commencing 23rd January; second-leg - week commencing 30th January

Final: Sunday February 26th 2023

The Charlton Athletic fans are the real winners from that draw. They’ve got a trip to Old Trafford to look forward to in the New Year.

Manchester United will be pleased, coming up against the League One outfit affords Erik ten Hag an opportunity to give more game time to the fringe players in the squad.

Manchester United vs Charlton Athletic

Southampton vs Manchester City

Nottingham Forest vs Wolves

Newcastle United vs Leicester City

The quarter-finals will take place during the week commencing 9th of January.

Finally, Newcastle United are at St. James’ Park against Leicester City.

Nottingham Forest are hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers at the City Ground.

Southampton are drawn at home with Manchester City making the trip to St. Marys.

Manchester United are out of the pot first. They’ll face Charlton Athletic at Old Trafford!

It’s finally time for the quarter-final draw. Here’s a reminder of which teams are left in the competition:

1. Charlton Athletic

2. Leicester City

3. Manchester United

4. Newcastle United

5. Nottingham Forest

6. Southampton

7. Wolverhampton Wanderers

8. Manchester City

It is a moot point how many of the world’s best managers are found at the World Cup these days but two of the finest were found in the Carabao Cup, shifting attention back to domestic duty in typically compelling fashion. This is not the trophy Pep Guardiola has admitted he needs to complete his time at Manchester City. But, while he dreams of the Champions League, he moved closer to a record fifth League Cup, eliminating the holders Liverpool FC and beating his old nemesis Jurgen Klopp.

It was the night the club game returned with a vengeance, wresting the attention from its international counterpart, suggesting the standards can be higher here, illustrating that many of the sport’s finest forwards were not seen in Qatar in the last month. Three of them scored, in Erling Haaland, Riyad Mahrez and Mohamed Salah, though the match-winner was the only World Cup quarter-finalist to start, in Nathan Ake.

Arguably the evening’s outstanding figure was one of the World Cup’s great underachievers, in Kevin de Bruyne, who set up City’s first and third goals. Having controversially, if correctly, deemed Belgium too old to succeed in Qatar, he looks likelier to secure silverware in the colours of his club.